Switchable digital scent generation and release, and vapor and liquid delivery methods and systems

ABSTRACT

Methods, devices and systems are described for digitally creating new scents or digitally dispensing gas, vapor, or liquid substances. A device includes a container or replaceable cartridge including one or more chambers containing one or more scented substances; a housing structured to include a compartment to hold the cartridge, an opening to allow the one or more scented or unscented substances to dispense to an outer environment from the device, and one or more transporting channels formed between the compartment and the opening, in which each of the one or more transporting channels is configured to deliver a scented substance from the corresponding chamber to the opening for delivering a scent from the one or more scented substances; and an actuator switch arranged in a corresponding transporting channel and rapidly operable to move between an open position and closed position based on an applied signal to selectively allow passage of the scented or unscented substance from the corresponding transporting path.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent document claims benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/145,918, entitled “SWITCHABLE SCENT, VAPOR,AND LIQUID RELEASE AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS” filed on Apr. 10,2015 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/174,450, entitled“AUGMENTED SWITCHABLE SUBSTANCE RELEASE AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS” filed onJun. 11, 2015. The entire contents of the aforementioned patentapplications are incorporated by reference as part of the disclosure ofthis patent document. This application is related to the PCT applicationby the same inventors, application serial number PCT/US14/035054,entitled “SWITCHABLE GAS AND LIQUID RELEASE AND DELIVERY DEVICES,SYSTEMS, AND METHODS.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent document relates to systems, devices, processes and methodsfor release and delivery of fluids (e.g., gas, vapor, mist, or liquid)and other substances, including without limitation scented fluids.

BACKGROUND

Various technologies have been developed for controlled release ofgases, vapors, mists, and liquids with applications for entertainment,education, engineering, advertising, medical treatment and therapy,military, and other purposes. For example, technologies that can providesensory input to the user or observer such as scent, wind, or mist havebeen introduced into virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)applications to provide a more immersive, sensory or realisticexperience. Design of scent delivery devices that allow reliable, rapidswitching of mixed or unmixed scented gas flux in a repeatable manner bysynchronizable, remote actuation could have a significant impact on theeffectiveness of the virtual, holographic, mixed reality or augmentedreality and live experiences, as well as providing additional benefitsfor medicinal drug delivery in vaporized, nebulized, atomized, liquid,powder or other form. Rapidly switchable, compact blendable fluidcontrol offers the promise for on-demand synthesis of up to thousands ofbasic ingredients according to prescribed formulae and has applicationin a broad array of fields as a research and education tool, amanufacturing or processing method, and commercial as well as consumerproducts and applications. Furthermore, such devices should offerpractical, economic, compact, mechanically and electrically reliable,and efficient on-demand control, and precision-timed gas, vapor, mist,liquid, powders or other substance delivery for effective use byindividual users or groups.

SUMMARY

Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for rapidly and easilyswitching the dispensing and delivery of fluids (herein defined asliquids, vapors, mists or gases) and other substances on-demand.

The present technology includes techniques, processes, systems, anddevices to provide highly compact, multiple-gated, scented or unscentedfluid release and delivery, including rapid switching for on-demandcombination and dispensing of such substances. In some implementations,for example, the disclosed techniques, systems, and devices deliver ascented gas into a localized space (e.g., such as the nosespace of anindividual), which can add the sense of smell to virtual, mixed oraugmented reality or holographic (“VAR”) applications such as VARshopping, simulations, engineering or scientific design, therapy,training, remote education, social interaction and other, interactivity,entertainment or other media.

The subject matter described in this patent document can be implementedin specific ways that provide one or more of the following features. Forexample, the disclosed technology includes devices that allowconvenient, remote, electrically actuatable fluid release based onlatchable magnetic switches, piezoelectric, or thermally actuatableswitches. For a capability to selectively release one or more of manydifferent types of fluids, X-Y or X-Y-Z matrix operational releasesystems may also be utilized for the presently disclosed embodiments,similarly as described in the related PCT application PCT/US14/035054.

The disclosed technology is simple and inexpensive, fast to operate, andis capable of miniaturizing delivery apparatuses, processes, systems,and/or mechanisms while maximizing the number of different scented orunscented fluids, or other substances that can be stored, combined,dispensed and cycled or sequenced in an automated fashion or on-demand.The latchable nature of the disclosed devices is very convenient asthere is no need to continuously use electricity or power when thedelivery system is not activated. Exemplary applications of the presenttechnology include the delivery of a scented gas into a localized space(e.g., such as the nosespace of an individual) as well as switchablerelease of vapors, mists, powders, or other suspensions for medical drugdelivery. Among other things, the technology is highly suited to VARexperiences and entertainment (movies and videogames) and other VARmedia, on-line shopping, and/or advertisement of products through onlineor brick and mortar store display environments.

In one example aspect, a digitally controllable scent creation anddelivery apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an array ofcontainers, each container having an inlet through which an inputcarrier gas flows in, a chamber, called a scent container, for holding amaterial containing an elementary or a base chemical producing acharacteristic odor, called a scent ingredient, or an ingredient, and anoutlet through which a mixture of the input gas and the scent ingredientflows out, a flow regulation mechanism that controls gas flow througheach container based on electromagnetic signals, one or more blendingchambers coupled to outlets of the containers and having a deliverychannel outlet, the blending chambers allowing individual outputs fromthe outlets of the containers to blend together homogeneously togenerate a pre-determined scent and flow the pre-determined scent outthrough the delivery channel outlet, and a pressurization chambercoupled to inlets of the containers, and generating the input carriergas flows.

In another example aspect, a method of delivering a digitally controlledscent-enhanced multimedia experience is disclosed. The method includesdelivering a non-olfactory sensory stimulus such as sound, visual and/orother stimuli to a user, controlling a synchronous delivery of a scentstimulus from a scent device by an electromagnetic control signal thatcontrols scent activation, scent blending, release and delivery to auser, delivering the scent stimulus to the user wherein the scentstimulus is related to the non-olfactory stimulus and enhances,augments, modifies, alters or integrates with user experience of thenon-olfactory stimulus, delivering the scent stimulus to the userwherein the scent stimulus is related to the non-olfactory stimulus andthe user is engaged with the non-olfactory stimulus passively oractively, or interactively, and selectively delivering the scentstimulus to the user wherein the scent stimulus is related to thenon-olfactory stimulus, while the user is engaged in an activity.

These, and other, features and aspects are described in greater detailin the drawings, the description and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 (A)-(L) schematically illustrate various embodiments of remanentmagnetization valves: (A) remanent magnetization valve with internalmechanical spring based separation of latchable magnetic pin and highpermeability ring to allow scented gas penetration; (B) remanentmagnetization valve with gas flow spring utilizing pressure-basedseparation of movable magnetic rod component to allow scent or gaspenetration; (C) remanent magnetization valve details showing notchedpin guide and high permeability ring; (D) non-cylindrical remanentmagnetization valve half-section illustrating flow; (E) remanentmagnetization valve with cantilevered spring; (F) remanent magnetizationvalve with pressure activation; (G) remanent magnetization valve withgravity activation; (H) remanent magnetization with non-cylindricalsolenoid; (I) remanent magnetization valve with dual solenoids; (J) atwo dimensional assembled 3×8 array of remanent magnetization valves forconvenient release of desired scent(s) or other gas/mist/liquid; (K) atwo dimensional manufactured 2×2 array of remanent magnetization valveswith mating cartridge for convenient release of desired scent(s) orother gas/mist/liquid; and (L) remanent magnetization valve array withtwo dimensional solenoids for typical lithographic manufacture.

FIG. 2 (A)-(C) schematically illustrated various embodiments of amagnetic check valve: (A) check valve with magnetic ring; (B) checkvalve with magnetic flap; and (C) an array of simultaneously producedcheck valves.

FIG. 3 (A)-(H)) schematically illustrate the blending of fluids(including gases generated from or containing odor/scent generatingchemical ingredients) according to combination and parameters specifiedby formula, or that may be programmed (via internet or other wired orwireless transmission), or manually adjusted for purposes of researchand development, testing and experimentation, for on-demand productionof unscented or scented compounds (“compounding”) for device delivery toindividuals or groups (said device hereinafter alternatively referred toas the “digital device”): (A) simultaneously activated/duty-cycledremanent magnetization valves for on-off release of fluids for blending;(B) remotely located ingredient storage containers and delivery viachannel to a blending chamber (C) a disk layout of cartridge containersto facilitate rapid fluid blending; (D) alternative disk-type containerlayouts for rotatable alignment, mirrored, and stacked deployment; (E) acylindrical layout of cartridge containers to facilitate rapid fluidblending; (F) a nested ring layout of cartridge containers for largecapacity-ingredient systems; (G) assisted blending via geometry oragitation; and (H) a latchable remanent magnetization blending/dividingvalve.

FIG. 4 (A)-(W) schematically illustrates various embodiments of scentdelivery devices and structures: (A) alternative containers, valve, andpressurization configurations; (B) an interchangeable cartridge whichmates with an array of remanent magnetization valves for controlledrelease; (C) an interchangeable cartridge with arrayed check valves atexit for controlled release; (D) an under-nose cartridge structures forscented gas delivery (“scent delivery”) to users of virtual realitydevices, augmented or mixed reality (“VAR”) devices; (E) scent deliverywith midline cartridge location in the headset for VAR devices; (F) afully or partially disposable scent delivery unit for VAR devices; (G)self-contained controllable scent delivery from one- or two-side-mountedreplaceable/refillable cartridge(s) attached to and for use with VARhead or eyewear; (H) self-contained controllable scent delivery fromone-side-mounted replaceable/refillable cartridge(s) attached to and foruse with VR or AR headgear with small diffuser; (I) self-containedcontrollable scent delivery from a neck-mounted replaceable/refillablecartridge; (J) self-contained controllable scent delivery from abelt-mounted replaceable/refillable cartridge; (K) self-containedcontrollable scent delivery from an arm-mounted replaceable/refillablecartridge; (L) self-contained controllable scent delivery from atabletop or handheld replaceable/refillable cartridge; (M)self-contained controllable scent delivery from a large central unitwith a large scent capacity (i.e. thousands of dedicated scents); (N)directional scent delivery via directed dual or triple scent output; (O)a scent delivery device situated below the user's nostrils with in-builtmicrophone for audio capture and interaction during use; (P) a wireddesktop configuration for scent delivery; (Q) a wireless desktopconfiguration for scent or alternative delivery; (R) a mobile or fixedscent delivery multi-media device with flexible dimensions and placementas a unit; (S) self-contained controllable scent delivery from ahandheld device with detachable, replaceable or refillable cartridge;(T) a handheld scent delivery device with object recognition viaincorporated camera or wired or wireless transmission of data forselective activation of scent delivery; (U) a scent delivery devicesituated to also deliver flavored fluid to the user's nosespace ormouth; (V) an intake dehumidifier for multi-climate operation; and (W)an exhaust mechanism for residue release during cleaning. Configurationsshown in FIG. 4 (A)-(W) can optionally be used with, attached to, orincorporated into VR or AR headgear or eyewear, or, alternatively,configured to operate and be worn independently for alternate uses.

FIG. 5 (A)-(G) schematically illustrate various embodiments ofchannel-deposition cleaning procedures for the delivery of multiplechemical fluids or other substances consecutively or simultaneously downa single channel: (A) bundled scent-specific delivery channels fordelivery of various chemical fluids or other substances; (B) nonporousresidue-resistant single channel which can be used for delivery ofdifferent scented gases for a period of time with minimal deposition ofscent material residue; (C) deposition cleaning of an internal coatingby resistive heating; (D) deposition cleaning of an internal coating byinductive heating; (E) Deposition cleaning by automated orpre-programmed internal chemical purge; (F) Deposition cleaning byelectromagnetic shuddering of the channel while undergoing gas flow; and(G) a pre- or intermittent-heating mechanism for cleaning internalsystem components.

FIG. 6 (A)-(G) schematically illustrate various alternatives forvaporization, atomization, or aerosolization of a liquid solution orsuspension: (A) coated or hollow porous micro-/nano-particles optionallywith magnetic activation; (B) divided cartridge containers with highsurface area scent substrate and replenishing liquid ingredientreservoir; (C) divided cartridge containers with hollow branched highsurface area scent substrate and replenishing liquid ingredientreservoir; (D) dispersing microscale/nanoscale droplets via pressurizeddistribution of a fluid through a patterned plate withhydrophobic/lipophobic/omniphobic coating on the egress face withdroplets being dispersed into a transverse flow of air or other vapor;(E) dispersing microscale/nanoscale droplets via three-dimensional meshwith a hydro/-lipo-/omni-phobic surface which is shaken by mechanicalconnection to a surrounding piezoelectric material activated in a highfrequency range; (F) continuous vaporization of a fluid viamicro-/nano-bubbles held separate by nanoscale lengthwise filaments asvapor flows through the liquid containment chamber; and (G) ultra-highconcentration scent medium via three-dimensional high surface areaporous composite materials including, for example, resins.

FIG. 7 (A)-(I) schematically illustrate various mechanisms for enhanced,comfortable or modified scent delivery perception or experience: (A) ahumidifier for the exit stream to prevent irritation during extendeduse; (B) a modulated heating mechanism to elevate exit streamtemperature; (C) a modulated cooling mechanism to reduce exit streamtemperature; (D) scent volume control to reduce or increase intensityvia cycling, concentration, dilution, or pressurization; (E) a dual ormultiple nostril feed for three dimensional scent delivery; (F) variousbiosensors for active monitoring of and/or responsive feedback to auser's state, or for purposes of dynamic adjustment of scent deliverysynchronous with the play of or interactivity with any type of media oruser; (G) some examples of programmatic functions for enhanced,interactive or more immersive (including VAR) scent experiencesincluding speech recognition for scent delivery, three-dimensional scentdelivery, scent sharing, haptic activated scent delivery, responsivescent adjustments, contextual scent selection and creation; (H) digitalexchanges of scent, and creation formulae between users; and (I)breathing pattern or interval recognition and synchronization.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart depiction of an example method for delivering adigitally controlled scent-enhanced multimedia experience.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of generating mistof a scent ingredient.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of digitallycontrolling a scent delivery array.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of providing acustomizable olfactory experience.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of delivering asubstance to a target site.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of delivering a digitallycontrolled scent-enhanced multimedia experience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document discloses highly scalable techniques, processes, systemsand devices for on-demand dispensing and delivery of liquids, mists,vapors or gas. Scent delivery devices of the disclosed technologyinclude convenient, remote, electrically actuatable scent-releasecomponents, e.g., based on latchable magnetic, piezoelectric, orthermally actuatable switches and mechanisms. In some implementations,for example, the delivery devices include nanoscale and microscalematerial structures to control formation and/or delivery of fluids(e.g., such as liquids, vapors, or gases) to produce scented substances.In some implementations, for example, the disclosed technology providescapability to selectively release one or more of many different types ofgases or liquids, e.g., using X-Y or X-Y-Z matrix operational releasesystems. The present technology offers the miniaturization of blendingprocesses and delivery systems while maximizing the number of differentbasic ingredients (such as scent ingredients) that can be stored,rapidly blended, dispensed, and cycled or sequenced in an automatedfashion and/or on demand.

Some aspects and embodiments of the described technology can beunderstood based on the Detailed Description including various clausesprovided, along with the claims, listed in the Claims section.

Applications of the present technology include, but are not limited to,the delivery of a scented gas into a localized space (e.g., such as thenosespace of an individual) that is highly suited, among other things,to VAR experiences and applications and controlled orthonasal or oraldrug delivery. In addition to scented gas delivery and orthonasal ororal drug delivery, rapidly switchable and blendable fluid controloffers promise for on-demand synthesis applications in a broad array offields as a research or education tool, manufacturing or processingmethods, and commercial and consumer products. Any procedure requiringthe precise, rapid, and miniaturizable control of multitudinous fluidseither as individual components or blended compositions may benefit fromthe disclosed devices, systems and methods.

By increasing the potential number of different scents for rapidsequential delivery, e.g., the disclosed scent delivery devices offerthe possibility of more complex and sophisticated sensory (olfactory)communication, interactivity, sampling, branding or advertising, as wellas greater dramatic possibilities and/or enhanced realism or immersionwithin a VAR or live experiences. For example, in some cases, thedisclosed devices can be used as an olfactory display or as a calleridentifier in a mobile phone or other communications device. In otherexamples, the disclosed devices can be used in conjunction with motionpictures or videogames (e.g., by way of a wide range of multi-scenttracks available for delivery activated synchronously with elements ofscenes, actions, actors/characters, music/sound or drama). Otherexemplary applications of nano- or micro-device control and on demanddelivery of scented fluids include, for example, (a) brick and mortarretail store, online or VAR shopping or advertising; (b) live, online orVAR entertainment, sports, fashion shows, newscasts or any other type ofmedia; (c) exchanges between users or interactivity, (d) user passive oractive interaction with any type of media; (e) scented packaging; (f)fragrance-emitting jewelry embedded with the mechanism/device todispense and cycle different perfumes, selected, set by or reacting tobiofeedback of the wearer, in which the mechanism generates an invisiblecloud of scent in or around the immediate space near or around thewearer; (g) air fresheners in small, enclosed spaces such as shelving orother furnishings, or that can be attached to fixtures; (h) olfactorybranding or signaling; (i) military applications for combat simulationsor control or influence of individual behavior; (j) aromatherapy; (k)medical therapy, drug delivery or remote or virtual surgery; (l)hygiene; (m) education; (n) simulations; (o) recorded or live scentedmedia and entertainment; and/or (p) use in multi-sensory apparatuses(e.g. apparatuses combining haptics and scent, scent and taste,haptics-sense-taste, haptics-audio-scent, etc.) providing behavioral,neurological, multi-modal (combined scent, taste, feel, visual, and/orsound) effects, among other applications.

The disclosed technology provides several advantages. One exemplaryadvantage of the present technology is the versatile design using asimplified valve-containing dispensing or valveless dispensing thatallows the choice of chemicals in a blended fluid (such as scentedfluids) on-demand. Such designs include exemplary ‘latchable-switchgating’ mechanisms of the disclosed technology. For example, theseexemplary gating mechanisms not only replace the need for complicatedmechanical valves, but also minimize the electrical input necessary tocontrol the gating, and are also scalable to small dimensions, e.g.,including on a millimeter or less than millimeter scale, thereby addingto the reduction in size and weight (and portability or wearability) ofa device or apparatus embodying the technology.

Some existing systems utilize a valveless system capable of dispensingsmall volumes of scents into a localized space, however, the technicalrequirements of the dimensions of the delivery channel diameters orlengths are, in themselves, limiting. An advantage of the presenttechnology is that there are no such limitations. Some other existingsystems that use a valveless technology employ a primary method ofevaporating and dispensing a scented gas via a heating element whosetime required to create a required volume of scented gas iscomparatively disadvantaged to the present technology whose mechanismsenable the more rapid on-off control, generation and delivery of ascented gas to a user. These and other existing scent generating devicesalso have limitations in terms of speed, physical dimension andminiaturization, selectivity, and durability. Also, existingtechnologies currently employed to selectively release fluid (includingscented gas) into a localized space, or nosespace, are limited by thenumber of different scents (or the number of ingredients specified byformulae for their creation) that are capable of being cycled orsequenced, timed and controlled for on-demand precision delivery. By wayof more specific example, machines that have scalable multi-scentingcapability and precision timed control and delivery of scented gas intoa nosespace (or to the nose) such as olfactomers are relatively large insize and are not as reducible in size and form factor for wearability orportability as the present technology. By way of further example, priorart devices that have multi-scenting scent synthesis capability arelimited by the number of chemical ingredients that can be synthesized,and therefore, the specificity, range and quality of a catalogue ofscents that can be created.

The disclosed technology can also include the use of ‘ambient diffusion’technology, which, for example, generates a scented or unscented gas atambient or room temperature without the use of heating as a primarymechanism to evaporate chemical elements of a fluid, paste, resin,encapsulated, semi-solid or solid material. Delivery of evaporated scentvia the present technology also obviates the inherent chemicaldeposition, lingering duration in the air, and other disadvantages andrisks in delivering atomized chemicals (including, for example, scentedmist) at close range to an individual. Ambient diffusion also avoidscertain limitations or drawbacks associated with using heating as theprimary mechanism to evaporate a scented or unscented liquid or otherscent or unscented medium, including, for example, the energy requiredto achieve fast evaporation for rapid gas formation and delivery, andthe potential to, in the case of scent, potentially (undesirably) alterthe properties or behavior of the scent-generating chemical componentsby heating.

Other primary mechanisms for generating an evaporated (e.g., completelyevaporated) scented gas can include the passage of gas on the surface ofa scented solvent or other material, or through a porous solid, gel orother scented substance. In the present technology, for example in oneembodiment, microbubbles of gas are created and pumped through an oil orother solvent containing scented material and generating a scented gasupon exit at the surface of the solvent or oil. The use of microbubblesin such a way maximizes the potential for large surface area contact ofair (or gas) within the scented solvent or oil, thereby increasingpotential diffusion, and as a result reducing the time necessary todeliver a desired volume of scented gas, or having the effect toincrease the concentration of targeted chemical molecules released inthe carrier gas.

In the presently disclosed technology, by way of further example, inanother embodiment an ultra-high surface area substrate created by microor nano-branching of substrate material may be placed within the scentor liquid containing chamber or within the replaceable cartridge. Such ananostructured substrate material is coated with scented solvent to holdthe solvent in place without having to introduce additional mechanicalfixturing to prevent leakage of the liquid material from the chamber orcartridge, and also reduces, because of the large surface area, theamount of scented liquid necessary to produce required scentconcentrations per given time, thereby helping to reduce the size andweight of the device to enable wearability. The desired large surfacearea of such nanostructured substrate material, such as made of ceramic,metallic, polymer or carbon material, is at least 300 meter square pergram, preferably at least 1,000 meter square per gram, preferably atleast 2,000 meter square per gram, as measured by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET) analysis technique of gas adsorption.

Most examples of existing selective scent releasing and delivery systemsintroduced to-date are limited by either ineffective control, lack ofprecision timing deliverable to the intended target, unwanted mix ofscents during sequenced delivery, lingering scent in the environment,the mechanical reliability, energy efficiency and/or the cost and sizeof the delivery apparatus. Diffusion of a large volume of scent into alarge area is comparatively difficult to quickly clear from the air (ordissipate), thereby limiting the rapidity with which a succeeding scentcan be delivered ‘cleanly’ to individuals within the space. Forentertainment applications, for example, in many instances scented airis released into the general space of a theater via the ventilationsystem or fans, or in and around seating. Such conventional deliverymechanisms have limited or no multiplexing (scent switching)capabilities or capacity, nor can they provide as rapid scent orefficient delivery capability precision-timed to the nosespaces ofindividuals as the present technology. Examples of existing systems thatcan release scent within seating area include the Sensorama game systemfrom which a scent is released from the chair according to the displayedscene and the steering wheel can provide mechanical vibrations. Inmovies such as those in the AMLUX theatre, scents were released inconjunction with visual images. Scent release by evaporating or sprayinga scented material has been utilized for the training of fire-fightersand scent-emitting collars have been employed for the training ofsoldiers. However, many of these known approaches are impractical,operationally unreliable, or limited in their capacity forprecision-timed, multiplexing scent delivery. Therefore, there is a needfor a reliable scent release and delivery system having rapidlyswitchable, automated and/or remote, actuatable and multi-cycle durablecharacteristics, that incorporate x-y or x-y-z matrix operationalsystems enabling controlled, timed scent release from many differentsources of scents (with a minimal number of controlling mechanisms).

Section headings are used in the present document to facilitatereadability and do not limit the scope of the disclosed technology inany way.

Examples of Remanent Magnetization Valve Configurations and Methods forActive Fluid Release

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1(A) to FIG. 1(L) schematicallyillustrate various embodiments of a remanent magnetization valve withpin guide, magnetically latchable and movable pin, high permeabilitymating ring or plate, solenoid/s, and electromagnetic shield.Magnetization of the pin is accomplished with a pulse signal to thesolenoid upon which the pin snaps against the ring creating a seal.Demagnetization is accomplished by a diminishing AC signal to thesolenoid, an oppositely directed and diminished field produced by asingle or series of DC signals, or a secondary solenoid producing anoppositely oriented magnetic field. The magnetic shield may be useful inshielding neighboring valves from being affected by each other'ssolenoid magnetization.

For the latchable magnetic pin material, various square-loop magneticmaterials can be utilized. For the desired geometry of rod or pin shape,mechanically ductile alloys that can easily be swaged, rod drawn or wiredrawn into such a geometry are preferred. An example is to use Fe—Cr—Cobased spinodally decomposing magnet alloys such as Fe-33% Cr-7% Co-2% Cu(in weight %), which is first heat treated to spinodally decompose intoa two-phase structure, and is then deformation-aged ormagnetic-field-aged so as to produce a square-loop magnetic properties.The composition of the alloy can be in the range of 25-40% Cr, 5-15% Co,0-4% Cu, with the balance Fe. Other alloying elements not exceeding 10weight % may also be added. See an article by S. Jin,“Deformation-Induced Anisotropic Cr—Co—Fe Permanent Magnet Alloys”, IEEETrans. Magnetics, MAG-15, 1748 (1979), and an article by S. Jin and N.V. Gayle, “Low Cobalt Cr—Co—Fe Magnet Alloys by Slow Cooling UnderMagnetic Field”, IEEE Trans. Magnetics, MAG-16, 526 (1980), which areincorporated by reference in their entirety herein. The magneticproperties of a magnetic material can be described by severalparameters, e.g., including a saturation magnetization (Bs) thatindicates the highest possible magnetization value in the givenmaterial, the remanent magnetization (Br) that indicates the remainingmagnetization value after the applied field is removed to zero field,and the coercive force (Hc) which is an indication of a requiredexternal applied magnetic field that needs to be applied to reduce/forcethe magnetization of the material to zero, which indicates how hard orsoft the magnetic material is.

According to some embodiments, these types of magnetic alloys arespecifically processed to exhibit high remanent magnetization withsquare loop shape, yet processed to exhibit a specific magnetic coerciveforce so as to easily enable switch applications for fluid delivery(including scent delivery) devices. The final aging heat treatmenttemperature and time is to be controlled so that the magnetic coerciveforce (Hc) is desirably within a specific range of 30-300 Oe, preferablyin the range of 50-200 Oe, and more preferably in the range of 80-130Oe.

Other spinodally decomposing alloys such as Cu—Ni—Fe or Cu—Ni—Co mayalso be used to obtain highly square loop magnetic alloys. Highlyuniaxially deformed ductile magnetic alloys, with an option ofpre-decomposition into two-phase structure, may also be utilized, suchas Fe—Ni—Mn, Fe—Mo—Ni, Fe—Cr—Mo alloys, which upon uniaxial plasticdeformation, can provide Hc values of 50-150 Oe.

The high magnetic permeability material in FIG. 1(A)-1(L), which is themating magnetic material below can be a soft magnet (e.g., a Permalloy,for example, having 80% Ni-20% Fe in weight % or 45% Ni-55% Fe, or asilicon steel, or other alloys having similar soft magnetic properties),a semi-hard magnet (e.g., Fe—Cr, Fe—Ni, and other magnetic alloys), or apermanent magnet (e.g., Fe—Cr—Co, Vicalloy, Sm—Co coated cantilever). InFIG. 1, soft magnetic alloy of 45% Ni-55% Fe alloy is utilized.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 schematically shows (A) remanentmagnetization valve with internal mechanical spring, and (B) remanentmagnetization valve with gas flow spring utilizing pressure-basedseparation of movable magnetic rod component to allow scent or gaspenetration. For the remanent magnetization valve with an internalmechanical spring illustrated in FIG. 1 (A), in closed state (116),magnetized latchable pin 104 above snaps against high permeabilitymaterial 110 below creating a seal while overcoming the slight springforce that previously kept the switch open. To open the switch, the pinis demagnetized (e.g., by using a 60 Hz demagnetizing cycle in asolenoid with gradually diminishing magnetic field, or by applying anopposite magnetic field which on removing the magnetic field enablesrecoiling of magnetization state to near zero). The internal spring inFIG. 1 (A) aids in separation by pushing back up the upper magnetic rod(or a magnetic pin).

For the remanent magnetization valve with gas flow spring utilizingpressure-based separation, as illustrated in FIG. 1 (B), in the closedstate, a magnetized latchable pin snaps against high permeabilitymaterial creating a seal. To open, the pin is demagnetized and gaspressure spring aids in separation. The unique nature of this FIG. 1 (B)switch structure is that no mechanical spring is used, and instead,upward gas flow (which is needed anyway for scent release and delivery)is simultaneously utilized as a lifting force to keep the magneticswitch open for a desired duration to continue delivery of the gas. Thedevice structure is thus more advantageous and simpler as compared tothe FIG. 1 (A) structure, although the latter is still useful forcertain designs and applications.

FIG. 1 (C) illustrates an additional application of the devices/systemsfor latchably releasing drugs in the form of gas, vapor, mist, powder orsuspension near or inside the nostrils for drug absorption viaorthonasal delivery. Similarly, as in FIG. 1(A), the switch in a passiveclosed state with magnetized pin sealed against high permeabilitymaterial blocks the through-hole and stops the flow of the drug to beadministered. In the “OPEN” state, the latchable magnetic pin isdemagnetized by either a gradually diminishing magnetic field or acertain opposite magnetic field strength (from the surroundingsolenoid/s) and is moved away from the high permeability material, thusrevealing through-hole for drug mist or vapor flow.

In addition to controlling gas flow, miniaturized remanent magnetizationvalves may also be used for controlled drug release, in a handheld,stationary or wearable configuration where the gas-state, vapor-state ormist-state drug doses are administered to a patient (or a customer) onschedule or as programmed by control software. Hardwire connectedactuations as well as wireless activations are possible. The end of adevice can be preferably configured so that there is a protruding endtube section into the nostrils (similar as the oxygen gas supplyapparatus for hospital patients) so as to maximally direct and utilizethe released amount of mist, vapor/gas, or suspension drug.

FIG. 1 (D) illustrates the use of a non-cylindrical interior pin guideto permit fluid flow around the pin when in the open state. This guideis depicted as triangular but may also be rectangular, pentagonal,hexagonal, etc. Seal is achieved by mating two polished surfaces fromthe latchable pin and the high permeability ring. Alternatively, a thincompliant seal can be placed between the pin and ring, if necessary topromote a tighter seal. In some embodiments, the gap around the interiorpin guide and the external casing may be radially symmetrical (when seenin a cross sectional view). One advantage of such a symmetry is to allowuniform passage of the flow around the housing.

Various methods may be used to separate the ring and pin upondemagnetization. FIG. 1 (E) accomplishes separation with a cantileveredspring which pushes against the pin. The spring properties arespecifically chosen to allow for sealing upon magnetization whenattracting forces between the pin and ring overcome the spring force ofthe cantilever and separation upon demagnetization when the spring forceovercomes and gravitational or trace attraction remaining.

Alternatively, in FIG. 1 (F) the remanent magnetization valve utilizespressure-based separation. In the closed state, the magnetized latchablepin snaps against high permeability material creating a seal. To open,the pin is demagnetized and fluid pressure aids in separation. Theunique nature of this FIG. 1 (F) switch structure is that no mechanicalspring is used, and instead, upward fluid flow (which is needed anywayfor release and delivery of fluid) is simultaneously utilized as aseparating force to keep the magnetic switch open for a desired durationto continue delivery of the fluid. The device structure is thus moreadvantageous and simpler as compared to the FIG. 1 (E) structure,although the latter is still useful for certain designs andapplications.

Another spring-less configuration is depicted in FIG. 1 (G) whichutilizes gravitational forces on the movable pin to effect pin-ringseparation. This design is similarly convenient in not requiring aspring for separation but is limited to a narrow range of valveorientations as gravitational forces must work to separate the latchablepin upon demagnetization. As such, a gravitationally aided design ismore suitable for fixed position applications such as tabletop orwall-based release. FIG. 1 (H) further simplifies and miniaturizes theremanent magnetization valve concept of FIG. 1 (A)-(G) by combining anon-cylindrical pin-guide and the magnetization/demagnetizationsolenoid. The figure portrays a triangular solenoid configuration,however, any non-cylindrical shape which maintains the cross-plane pinpositioning would work similarly. Opening and closing mechanisms for thevalve are as described in the earlier figures. One other advantage ofcombining the pin guide and the solenoid come in terms of efficiency. Bylocating the solenoid walls nearer to the pin, magnetic field strengthincreases for the same power level during magnetization anddemagnetization.

In addition to the single solenoid configuration depicted in FIG. 1(A)-(H), a dual solenoid configuration may be used with each solenoidtaking separate responsibilities as depicted in FIG. 1 (I). The coilnearest to the high permeability plate or ring magnetizes the pin uponactivation, closing the valve which then remains closed due to theremanent magnetization of the pin material. The 2^(nd) solenoid producesa magnetic field in the opposite direction and with a lower magnitudedue to the transverse distance thereby opening the valve and cancelingout the remanent magnetization in the pin. This configuration has theadded benefit of forcefully opening the valve during demagnetization asthe pin moves towards the center of the 2^(nd) coil. The other openingmechanisms (spring, pressure, gravitational) are therefore lessnecessary for a dual coil configuration. In one advantageous aspect, theuse of dual solenoids for magnetization/demagnetization enables savingsin hardware by simplifying the current feeding circuitry and also mayincrease longevity and reliability by using electromagnetic force bothfor opening and for closing the valve. In some embodiments, taking intoaccount magnetic hysteresis of the material, multiplemagnetization-demagnetization cycles may be rapidly applied (e.g., 60 Hzfrequency) in a gradually diminishing field manner to precisely controlthe opening and closing of the valves.

FIG. 1 (J) illustrates a two dimensional array of magnetically latchableswitches for convenient release of desired scented or unscentedgas/mist/liquid. In some embodiments, a two dimensional array ofmagnetically latchable switches for convenient generation and release ofdesired selected scents or other fluids may be used. An example 3×8array of containers containing 24 scent ingredients used for blending isdescribed. The desired scent ingredient(s) may be controllably selectedin any desired or programmed combination. In closed state, magnetizedlatchable pins snap against Permalloy plate (size-matching hole or rod)to create a tight seal (possibly with intervening elastomer or othertype material). To open, a selected pin is demagnetized and pressure,mechanical spring, or gravity aids in separation. Cylindrical pins areheld in place by non-circular (square, triangular, or other) pin guides,thus permitting some gas flow around the pin edges when pin is pushedback from seal against Permalloy. For scented gas generation and flowrelease, gas flow is pushed through an optionally removable/replaceablecartridge located adjacent to the remanent magnetization switch arrayand then loaded gas is delivered through check valves to the scentoutlets. The valves positioned in the array (e.g., 10×10 or 8×20, etc.)can be programmably and selectively actuated (just one valve only, oroptionally two or more valves activated simultaneously for combinationand blending of fluids (for example, including scented and/or unscentedgases) by wireless or hard wired signals with compatible software, sothat a particular device is magnetized or demagnetized, and fluid flowis initiated or stopped. Singular valves may be activated for individualfluid delivery or multiple valves activated simultaneously or in concertfor blending/coupling of scent ingredients.

Referring to FIG. 1 (K), some embodiments also include a two dimensionalarray of magnetically latchable switches for convenient release ofdesired fluid, including scented gas(es) or unscented gas/mist/liquid.An example 2×2 array of containers, each containing one of four scentingredients in liquid, semi-solid or solid state is described. Thedesired or selected scent(s) may be controllably released as shown incutaway view of FIG. 1 (K). In closed state, magnetized latchable pinssnap against Permalloy plate (size-matching hole or rod) to compress acompliant material between the latchable magnet rod and thecorresponding Permalloy plate hole (or rod), creating a tight seal. Toopen, a selected pin is demagnetized and gas pressure through the plateaids in separation. Cylindrical pins are held in place by non-circular(square, triangular, or other) pin guides, thus permitting some gas toflow around the pin edges when pin is pushed back from seal againstPermalloy. For scent release, gas flow is pushed through an optionallyremovable/replaceable cartridge containing an array of scent ingredientcontainers (a “scent cartridge”) located adjacent to the remanentmagnetization switch array (positioned above the magnetic pin in thecase of FIG. 1 (K) configuration) and then scented gas is deliveredthrough check valves to the scent outlets. The valves positioned in thearray (e.g., 10×10 or 8×20, etc.) can be programmably and selectivelyactuated (just one valve only, or optionally two or more valvesactivated simultaneously to generate scented gas) by wireless signals orhard wired signals with compatible software, so that a particular deviceis magnetized or demagnetized, and gas flow is initiated or stopped.Scent generation can be programmably actuated by wireless signals orwired signals from any communications or media device with suitablesoftware, for example, from a cell phone, TV remote control, laptopcomputer, VAR device, or any internet connected or wireless device. Sucha portable or hand-held scent release device can optionally hold up tomany hundreds of ready-made scents. Singular valves may be activated forindividual scent delivery or multiple valves activated simultaneously orin concert for blending/coupling of ingredients.

To avoid time-consuming and complicated winding procedures duringmanufacture, miniaturized valve arrays may utilize flat spiral solenoidsas in FIG. 1 (L) located on substrates enclosing the remanentmagnetization pins within non-cylindrical pin-guides. The lowersolenoids producing a field to close the valves against ahigh-permeability through-hole via acting dually as an electricalconnection to the solenoid coil. Valves may be opened with an oppositelydirected but diminished DC field to remove remanent magnetization in thepin, a diminishing AC field, or an optional second solenoid at the rearof the pin to form a dual coil configuration as in FIG. 1 (I). Substratearrays may be manufactured in parallel with familiar lithographic andetching processes with potentially many hundreds or thousands of valvesbeing produced in parallel. A cartridge containing scent ingredients maybe located adjacent to the valve array for selective activation.Singular valves may be activated for individual scent delivery ormultiple valves activated simultaneously or in concert forblending/coupling of ingredients.

For optimization and viable industrial applications of scent deliverysystems, i) miniaturization of the size, ii) rapid switching speed ofoperation and iii) low power usage, are important parameters that alsoneed to be considered.

Miniaturization of the flow regulation mechanisms is useful in order toconstruct scent delivery devices which may be built into or affixed toexisting cell phones, tablets, virtual reality head mounted displays,televisions, laptops, computers, wearable technologies, etc. The numberof individual flow regulation mechanisms to control scent ingredientsmay be, for example, at least 10, more likely at least 100, and evenmore likely at least 1000; therefore, the remanent magnetization valveswhich regulate scent release as described herein, could have aminiaturized dimension: a diameter desirably less than 4 mm, preferableless than 2 mm, and even more preferably less than 1 mm; a lengthdesirably less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm, and even morepreferably less than 2 mm; and a weight desirably less than 200 mg,preferably less than 25 mg, and even more preferably less than 5 mg.

Rapid switching when both opening and closing of the flow regulationmechanisms is useful to the present scent delivery device in order tosynchronize scent release promptly to visually displayed content,advertisements, gameplay, audio, messaging, etc. Rapid switching is alsouseful to the blending of scent ingredients in precise ratios by timedon-off activation of scent containers. In the case of a scent cartridgepositioned proximate to a user's nosespace, the duration from a scentactivation to ultimate release into the nosespace, for example, isdesirably less than 500 ms, preferably less than 200 ms, and even morepreferably less than 100 ms; therefore, the remanent magnetizationvalves which regulate scent release according to embodiments describedherein have a switching speed for both closing and for opening of lessthan 100 ms, preferably less than 10 ms, and even more preferably lessthan 1 ms.

Low power and energy consumption of the flow regulation mechanisms isuseful in order to construct scent delivery devices which may be poweredby batteries such as those of a cell phone, tablet, laptop, virtualreality device, or similar. The number of individual switching eventswhich may occur in the course of using a scent delivery device for amultimedia experience may be, for example, at least 10 per minute, morelikely at least 50 per minute, and in the case of blending even morelikely at least 250 per minute; therefore, the remanent magnetizationvalves which regulate scent release according to the present documenthave a minimal power and energy consumption: a switching power desirablyof less than 2.5 W, preferably less than 500 mW, and even morepreferably less than 100 mW; and an energy required per switch desirablyless than 250 mJ, preferably less than 5 mJ, and even more preferablyless than 0.1 mJ.

The miniaturized size, high speed of operation and low powerrequirements allow the switchable scent storage and delivery deviceaccording to the invention to be compact and easily usable, for example,into a USB device (or an associated device connectable to USB) that cansimply be plugged into a computer, notepad or cell phone for easyrelease of some scents for online shopping or playing videogames.

Example Devices

Various aspects of the disclosed embodiments and techniques have beenreduced to practice in the following examples.

Example 1

A scent delivery device prototype has been constructed forelectronically activated, selective delivery of six scents: the aroma ofcampfire, grass, lemon, perfume, baby powder, and fresh linen. Thedevice comprised six magnetically latchable switch structures, eachcoupled with a pressurization device and coupled at their outlet withindividuated ingredient containers containing a source scent material.Each magnetically latchable switch structure permits electronicallyactivated gas flow thereby permitting the passage of gas from thecontainers and the ultimate delivery of scented gas. The electricalcurrent through the solenoid surrounding the device may serve tomagnetize or demagnetize the magnetic pin, which opens or closes thepathway for the scented gas. The device can be handheld or suspendedfrom the user's neck. Activation is controlled via USB connection of thedevice to a computer. Upon scent activation, electronic signals activateone or more selected latchable switches initiating the flow of scentedgas. After exiting the container, the mixture of scent ingredient andair is then transported via flexible tube to a headset anchored near theuser's ear which may optionally be used in conjunction with a VRhead-mounted display, through a positionally adjustable armature whichreleases the scent into the user's nose-space. Scent delivery isaccomplished within 300 milliseconds. The person wearing the headsetclearly senses and distinguishes each of the released scents ofcampfire, grass, lemon, perfume, baby powder, or fresh linen whenelectronically activated by switch-on command. The scent releaseoperation was repeated at least 20 times with reproducible results.

Example 2

is a scent delivery device with four scent capacity to deliver aromas ofbubblegum, orange, apple cinnamon, or perfume. The device comprisedeight miniature sized, magnetically latchable switch structures, four ofwhich are coupled with the inlet of four scent ingredient containersholding source scent materials, while the other four switch structuresare coupled with the outlets of the four scent ingredient containerswith outlets releasing into free air. Each magnetically latchable switchstructure permits electronically activated gas flow through theair-spring separation between the magnetic pin and the seatingstructure. The magnetic alloy pin heat treated to have a squarehysteresis loop, with a remanent magnetization to saturationmagnetization ratio of at least 0.90 is controlled by copper solenoidsurrounding the pin such that an electrical current through the solenoidmay serve to magnetize or demagnetize the pin. The ingredient containercartridges house individual ready-made scent materials Device activationis controlled via USB connection to a computer. Upon scent activation,electronic signals open the valves at both the inlet and outlet of oneor more scent containers initiating airflow and scent vapor flow. Scentdelivery is accomplished within 500 milliseconds and delivered scentsinclude the aroma of bubblegum, orange, apple cinnamon, and perfume. Ahuman nose situated within 30 centimeters of the device can clearlysense and distinguish each of the released scents at the moment of itsrelease. This scenting operation was repeated at least 50 times withreproducible detection by human olfaction.

Example 3

is a scent delivery device for affixation to commercially available VRheadsets including those from the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, SonyPlayStation VR, Samsung Gear VR, Google Cardboard, or similar. For thescent release device, eight magnetically latchable switch structureswere coupled with a removable/replaceable cartridge of eight scentcontainers. Each magnetically latchable switch structure permitselectronically activated gas flow separation (spring-less) between themagnetic pin and the seating structure. The magnetic alloy pin is heattreated to have a square hysteresis loop, with a remanent magnetizationto saturation magnetization ratio of at least 0.90. The pin is containedwithin a non-cylindrical plastic guide around which two solenoids arewound corresponding to the pin such that an electrical current may serveto magnetize the pin and close the valve or serve to demagnetize thepin. The ingredient containers house individual ready-made or chemicalcomponent scent materials. All device components were assembled into asingle housing which was mounted centrally to the front underside of aVR/AR headset. Electronic activation of the scent release device iscontrolled and powered via USB connection. Upon scent activation,electronic signals activate and initiate airflow, also optionallythrough a magnetic check valve at the inlet of the scent ingredientcontainer. Scent delivery through the nose-piece positioned the frontunderside of a VR/AR headset is accomplished within 100 milliseconds anddelivered scents include the aroma of blood, rainforest, and dinosaurbreath among others. The person wearing the virtual reality (VR) gearover his head, which was equipped with the disclosed scent releasedevice clearly sensed and distinguished each of the scents synchronouslyreleased with corresponding visual VR content.

Examples of Magnetic Check Valve Configurations and Methods for PassiveGas Release

For a functional gas delivery device, it is important to seal aningredient container adequately when the ingredient is not in use. It ispossible to accomplish this by placing a remanent magnetization valve atboth the inlet and exit of the container. However, the system issimplified by replacing the outlet valve with a check valve which onlyopens when the associated inlet remanent magnetization valve is opened.Doing so halves the number of control circuits necessary for the valves,simplifies production, and may allow for disposable/recyclablecartridges with built in check valves which would often not be feasiblewith remanent magnetization valves as built in components.

FIG. 2 (A) schematically depicts a check valve consisting of a magneticring which mates with a magnetically susceptible flap attached by asingle tab to the upper surface of the ring. The cracking pressure forthis valve is simply the gas pressure which balances the magneticattractive force between the flap and the ring. When a paired remanentmagnetization valve opens and permits flow and high pressure to reachthe adjacent check valve, the valve flexes open at the tabbed hinge andpermits scent to escape the container. Upon closing the remanentmagnetization valve, pressure drops again and the magnetic attractiveforce again overwhelms the pressure differential, closing the checkvalve and sealing the container. The balance of the magnetic force andpressure force may be adjusted substantially by changing the materials,the magnetic ring's dimensions, the flap's dimensions, and the distancebetween flap and ring via sealant inserts. Optionally, flap and ringsurfaces can be coated with a hydrophobic and/or lipophobicmaterial/texture or smooth metal/ceramic layer deposition and platingthat prevents or minimizes scent accumulations/contaminations.

Likewise, FIG. 2 (B) schematically depicts a check valve consisting of amagnetic flap which mates with a magnetically susceptible ring attachedby a single tab to the upper surface of the ring. The cracking pressurefor this valve is simply the gas pressure which balances the magneticattractive force between the flap and the ring. When a paired remanentmagnetization valve opens and permits flow and high pressure to reachthe adjacent check valve, the valve flexes open at the tabbed hinge andpermits scent to escape the container. Upon closing the remanentmagnetization valve, pressure drops again and the magnetic attractiveforce again overwhelms the pressure differential, closing the checkvalve and sealing the container. The balance of the magnetic force andpressure force may be adjusted substantially by changing the materials,the magnetic ring's dimensions, the flap's dimensions, and the distancebetween flap and ring via sealant inserts. Optionally, flap and ringsurfaces can be coated with a hydrophobic and/or lipophobicmaterial/texture or smooth metal/ceramic layer deposition and platingthat prevents or minimizes scent accumulations/contaminations.

In an array, magnetic check valves with either magnetized ring or flap,the valve opening depends entirely on the backside pressure buildup asshown in FIG. 2 (C). Only the valve with overpowering backside pressurewill open with the remainder continuing to seal their respectivecontainers. Check valve arrays may be manufactured in bulk simply byapplying successive layers of magnetized, compliant, and magneticallysusceptible materials with sufficiently positioned through-holes andpunched out perimeters (excepting a single hinge tab). Optionally, flapand ring surfaces can be coated with a hydrophobic and/or lipophobicmaterial/texture or smooth metal/ceramic layer deposition and platingthat prevents or minimizes scent accumulations/contaminations.

In the embodiment of a scalable check valve array depicted in FIG. 2(C),opening is accomplished by pressure forces overcoming the magneticattraction force between the flap and the magnetized ring. Check valveactivation is passive and so may be paired with an active valve, such asa remanent magnetization valve, to selectively open a single valve in anarray of check valves. Optionally, flap and ring surfaces can be coatedwith a hydrophobic and/or lipophobic material or texture or smoothmetallic or ceramic layer deposition and plating that prevents orminimizes scent accumulation and contamination.

Examples of Combinatorial Fluid Production and Fluid Compounds

While many ready-made (pre-prepared) fragrance, or flavor substances(either referred to as “scent”) can be stored for delivery (withoutblending) to users of devices incorporating the presently disclosedembodiments, an unlimited number of scents can also be rapidly createdand generated, on-demand, according to formulae (and other instructions)by blending basic chemical ingredients (incorporating odor generatingchemicals), to create scent compounds (the foregoing action referred toas “compounding”). According to some embodiments, ingredients may bestored in liquid, semi-solid or solid state, and in the case of scentsinclude aroma emitting chemicals, additives, and other chemicalsincluding, by way of example but not limited to:

Acetanisole, Commiphora erythraea, ext., Octanal dimethyl acetal,Methyl-4-phenyl-2-butyl isobutyrate, Ethylbutyl acetate, Heptanaldimethyl acetal, Hexyl isovalerate, Hexyl 2-methylbutyrate, Styrene,Benzonitrile, Benzyl alcohol, Benzaldehyde,alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethyl alcohol, alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethylbutyrate, 3-Hexenyl 2-methylbutanoate, alpha-Methylcinnamaldehyde,Methyl phenylacetate, Phenylacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal,Phenylacetaldehyde ethylene glycol acetal, 1-(Methylthio)-1-Propene,Diphenylmethane, Diphenyl ether, alpha-Amylcinnamyl alcohol,alpha-Hexylcinnamaldehyde, p-Tolyl phenylacetate, Ethyl phenylacetate,Isobutyl phenylacetate, Benzyl phenylacetate, Anisyl phenylacetate,Isoamyl phenylacetate, Phenethyl phenylacetate, Triethanolamine,(tri-)Acetin, Benzyl octanoate, 2-Methyl-4-phenyl-2-butanol,Di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, Ethyl cinnamate, Benzyl cinnamate, Oils,jasmine, Jasminum sambac, Phenethyl isobutyrate, Cinnamyl acetate,Carbonic acid, Acetanilid, p-Tolyl isobutyrate, Menthone, Oils, Irisgermanica, Rhodinyl phenylacetate, Methyl-2-butenal, Pentanone, Myrtenylacetate, Butyric acid, Resorcinol, Cyclohexanol, Phenol, Valeric acid,etc.

The ingredients are stored and selectively released, so that a selectedgroup of ingredients (uniformly in one of either gases, vapor or liquidform) are sent to a central blending chamber to create homogeneouscompounds according to specified formulae that have been programmed foractivated blending, or by manual or other selection. Optionally,multiple blending chambers may be configured and operationallycontrolled to blend and mix homogeneous compounds for user delivery.

With specific reference to the preparation of scented gases, ingredientsto be blended contain the essential ingredients of a desired orspecified scent or flavor in solvents, semi-solid or solid state, butalso catalyst or enzymatic chemicals or other additives. The centralblending chamber(s) can also have heating and pressurizing capabilitiesto enable chemical reactions, as the thermodynamic energy barrier(s) forchemical reaction to occur may sometimes need to be overcome by highertemperature or pressure. Also, the kinetics of reaction (and blending)of chemical ingredients may not always be fast enough for efficient andfast-responding, scent or flavor delivery systems. The temperature rangeto control in the blending chamber to enable or enhance the digitalcompounding of scents or flavors can be variably set in a desired rangeof up to 200° C., according to optimal temperature determined foroptimally blending specific gas compounds. The pressure range in thechamber to control is in the range of 0.1-100 atmospheres, preferably0.5-20 atmospheres, and even more preferably 1-5 atmospheres.

FIG. 3(A) depicts an apparatus 300 that can be used for blendingmultiple scents. The apparatus includes an array of scent containers(306), a flow regulation mechanism (e.g., 304 and/or 308), a mixingchamber 310 and a pressurization chamber 302. Each container in thearray may have an inlet through which an input gas flows in, a chamberfor holding a scent ingredient, and an outlet through which a mixture ofthe input gas and the scent ingredient flows out. The flow regulationmechanism may include either remanent magnetization valves 304,controlling passage of gas from the pressurization chamber into theinlet of the chamber or magnetic check valves 308 positioned at outputsof the chambers and controlling passage into the mixing chamber 310, orboth. In some embodiments a vacuum suction chamber (not shown in FIG.3(A)) may be used in addition to or instead of the pressurizationchamber 302 to forcefully flow the gas into the inlet of the container.

As depicted in FIG. 3 (A), ingredient combination may be accomplishedvia simultaneous opening of various remanent magnetization valves,thereby permitting fluid flow through or from the ingredient containersand blending in a blending chamber prior to delivery. This is only abasic description of blending but by incorporating duty-cycling of thevalves to control ingredient concentration, ratios and other parameters,greater homogenization and ratio and concentrations control, as well asvariation is possible (even with limited ingredients). For higheringredient numbers, locating the ingredients chambers away from thecentral blending chamber may be necessary as shown in FIG. 3 (B). Theremotely located ingredients could then be delivered by channel to ablending chamber for combination and mixing.

FIG. 3 (C) and FIG. 3 (D) each portray high-capacity deviceconfigurations with a disk shaped cartridge comprising up to 1000s ofindividual ingredients which mates with an array of remanentmagnetization valves. Containers are selected by valve activation.Multiple selections simultaneously permit combinatorial blending ofingredients. For simplified electronic control, single valves mayaccount for individual radii of ingredient containers facilitated byrotation of the cartridge disk or valve housing to match valves toingredients. Stacked configurations and mirrored configurations allowfor higher ingredient numbers without further expanding, or possiblyreducing disk size. Disks could be replaced, refilled, or recycled asneeded. For ingredient replenishment, the flat, disk, ring, or nestedcartridge may be seated into a separate refill/recharge unit. Refill maybe accomplished via pressurized delivery or simple capillary action.

In particular, FIG. 3 (D) shows examples of a stacked configuration inwhich container arrays having similar container placement patterns(e.g., along radii of a disk-shaped pattern) are stacked on top of eachother in a stacked configuration (314) or are in a mirroredconfiguration (316) in which one array is flipped or mirrored andstacked above the other array. In the mirrored configuration (316), gasoutlets of the containers from the two arrays will be facing each other.These configurations may allow for a simplified electronic controlduring which arrays may be rotated to match valves to ingredients.Stacked and mirrored configuration allow for denser packing of scentcontainers without increasing size (radius) of the disk.

Similarly, FIG. 3 (E) and FIG. 3 (F) portray high capacity deviceconfigurations with cylindrical ring containers comprising up to 1000sof individual ingredients which mate with an array of remanentmagnetization valves. Containers are selected by valve activation.Multiple selections simultaneously activate combinatorial blending ofingredients. The number of ingredients can be increased by nesting ringsso long as a pressure difference is maintained with each additionalinterior ring maintaining a pressure drop. To accomplish this,pressurized open passages between levels are maintained such that flowcan pass into the ring even if no valves are open in a nested level.Similar to the disk-type structure of FIG. 3 (D), rings or valve arraysmay be rotated to minimize the number of valves in use if desired.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 (F), three concentric rings ofcontainers are nested within each other in a generally concentricmanner. In the depicted embodiments, for each ringed array, a housingring is on the outside of, and supports an inner ring that holds thecontainer array. Advantageously, the arrayed containers are thusoriented with their outlets generally pointing towards the center. Themixing chamber is located towards to chamber for collecting the mixtureand providing a blended output according to a formula, for the intendedapplication. During operation, pressurization occurs external to thelargest diameter ring with gas flow to the exterior of the nested secondlargest ring accomplished via activation of selected remanentmagnetization valves permitting flow through the largest diameter ringand coupled container ring. For unscented flow from the exterior to theinterior ring, valves coupled with containers without scented materialmay be activated. To maintain a consistent pressure drop, valves arrayedagainst scented and unscented containers may be timed, sequenced, andcycled. Subsequent transitions to further nested rings may beaccomplished via the same mechanism, i.e. sequenced, timed, and cycledflow through scented or unscented containers as controlled by remanentmagnetization valve activation.

In order to achieve a satisfactory blending of various ingredients to acombined scented or unscented fluid, active agitation (separately, or inconjunction with variably controlled temperature and pressure) may benecessary. In interest of reducing power consumption, geometricapproaches are presented in FIG. 3 (G) where rotational motion isemployed to mix components. Should angled exit streams proveinsufficient, spiral inserts or similar may be used to force or assistblending.

The control and adjustment of the intensity or concentration of fluidrelease may be desirable for various applications and can be achievedvia a mechanism for diminishing the ratio in a mix of released materialto inert background material (e.g. gas or some solvent). FIG. 3 (H)describes schematically a three-way blending/dividing valve operated byremanent magnetization latching with an internal arc positionable todivide/combine flows in various ratios with arc position determined byexternal latchable magnets aligning with an internal high-permeabilitypin. This configuration, when positioned to divide flow between channelswhich load or scented or unscented the gas or solvent and a channelwhich does not may effectively act as an intensity or concentrationcontrol for fluid delivery of the ultimate recombined stream. In thecase of scent delivery, said mechanism permits variable adjustment ofthe perceived intensity of the smell of the selected substance. Thelatchable remanent magnetization blending/dividing valve utilizes athree-channel intersection mediated by a cylindrical chamber containinga precisely produced blocking wedge sector which may fully obfuscateentry to or exit from a single channel or be positioned at an anglebetween two entrance/exit channels to divide or recombine flow in aparticular ratio. The inner cylindrical chamber may remain completelysealed but still be controllable through the use of an arc of latchableremanent magnetization pins positioned to magnetically interact with ahigh permeability mating piece embedded in the blocking wedge sector. Toposition the wedge, solenoids wrapped around each latchable pin are usedto successively magnetize and demagnetize the pins and to step theinternal wedge to the determined radial position. Once the position isreached, the magnetized remanent pin passively maintains the positionwithout the need of any additional power. As before magnetization isaccomplished by a DC current through the solenoid and demagnetization byeither a diminishing AC field or diminished DC field steps inalternating directions (one or many steps). Varying the angle of theblocking wedge within the valve controls the ratio of flow to/from theaffected channels. The scent generating device according to theinvention can handle a very large number of ingredients because of thecompact dimension. A preferred number of ingredients to mix and generatemany different types of scents in the disclosed scent generating deviceis at least 100, preferably at least 1,000, more preferably at least5,000.

Devices for combinatorial fluid production may for scent compounding maybe configured for wearable applications with a variety of potentialembodiments disclosed in the following section. Devices may beimplemented with one-to-one matching of control valves to ingredientcontainers within an array, or they may use rotational, X-Y, or X-Y-Zmatrix configurations to position scent containers for delivery eitherindividually, sequentially, or concurrently. Positioning, for example,may be controlled by electric motor or staggered remanent magnetizationpins as in FIG. 3 (H).

Examples of Scent Delivery Device Configurations

A wide variety of scent delivery device configurations may proveadvantageous for diverse applications. FIG. 4 (A) shows alternativecontainer, valve, and pressurization configurations. Pressurization maybe located either at the inlet or outlet of the device. Remanentmagnetization valves may come before, after, or both before and afterthe fragrance ingredient container. Check valves may come at the exit ofthe device affixed to the container. A sampling of potential hardwareconfigurations is provided in the remainder of FIG. 4. FIG. 4(A) thusillustrates different possible configurations of a scent delivery systemin which the sequence of pressurization, valve and containers can bedifferent according to an intended application of the system.

For convenience a scent fluid releasing device may be configured as inFIG. 4 (B) which schematically shows an interchangeable cartridge thatmates with an array of remanent magnetization valves for controlledrelease. As depicted, the cartridge may have, for example, 95 containersarrayed in a 5×19 matrix such that when inserted into the device andsecured by physical latching, friction, spring locks, or some typicalmechanical means each of the 95 containers is aligned with one port of aremanent valve array and one exit port directly into the user's nosespace. Release may then be accomplished by depressing the cartridge toeject, widening the hooked latch edge, manually pulling on thecartridge, or some other typical ejection means. Cartridges may bereplaced, recycled, refilled, or discarded. In this configuration, whichrequires no channeling for scent delivery, deposition buildup issues areeliminated. Release may be activated and controlled by any convenientmethod such as laser, Wi-Fi, or other wireless signal, sensor,electrical connection to the headset, actuators, buttons, etc.Pressurization may be provided by an internal miniature fan, pump, orsimilar. Individual scented gases may be delivered via singular valveactivation. Conversely, blending of multiple ingredients may beaccomplished via simultaneous or duty-cycled activation of additionalvalves. FIG. 4(B) thus illustrates examples of cartridge based designsthat allow for differing scent compositions or ingredients according toutilization, and wherein the scent delivery device may be affixedcentrally to a VAR headware or eyeware.

FIG. 4 (C) shows another configuration for under-nose scent deliveryfrom a cartridge mated with a valve housing and pressurization chamberall mounted directly to a VR or AR headset. As depicted, the cartridgemay have, for example, 128 containers arrayed in an 8×16 matrix suchthat when inserted into the device and secured by physical latching,friction, spring locks, or some typical mechanical means each of the 128containers is aligned with one port of a remanent valve array and oneexit port directly into the user's nosespace. Exit ports may optionallyinclude a magnetic check valve for diffusion control and long-term use.Cartridge release may be accomplished by depressing the cartridge toeject, widening the hooked latch edge, manually pulling on thecartridge, or some other typical ejection means. Cartridges may bereplaced, recycled, refilled, or discarded. In this configuration, whichrequires no channeling for scent delivery, many deposition buildupissues are eliminated. Release may be activated and controlled by anyconvenient method such as wireless, electrical connection to theheadset, actuators, buttons, etc. Pressurization may be provided by aninternal miniature fan, pump, or similar. Individual scented gases maybe delivered via singular valve activation. Conversely, blending ofmultiple ingredients may be accomplished via simultaneous or duty-cycledactivation of additional valves

FIG. 4 (D) shows a schematic diagram of under-nose cartridge structuresfor scented gas delivery for virtual reality (“VR”) devices, oraugmented or mixed reality (“AR”) devices. The drawing shows VR or ARheadset with scent containers, optionally divided into a dedicatedcompartment for scent storage material and a separate compartment withsubstrate dosed with and fed by the storage material) situated directlybeneath. A cartridge containing scent material and substrates (forscented or unscented gas generation) may be removed forrefill/replacement/recycle. A cartridge is controlled by adjacentstructures containing means to drive gas through the cartridge andselected containers, including containers containing fragrance or flavorsubstrates. A cartridge may be refilled by docking with stand-alonerecharge unit or alternatively sent for recycle. The scented gas isreleased directly from the selectively activated scented substratecontainer inside the cartridge directly into the nose space. In thistype of design, the cartridge is very closely positioned to the scentexit region, so the use of a connecting channel or an array of tubes orchannels of other geometry for scent transport can be omitted, whichmakes the device simpler and less expensive, and eliminates/minimizesany scent material deposition on the connecting channel inner wallsurface, which may contaminate/degrade the quality of other scent(s) tobe delivered later. The scent release actuation can be performed byeither wireless or wired signaling, or sensor-activated. With respect tothis latter (sensor-activated option), for example, sniffing orbreathing by the user can trigger a sound sensor or gas-flow sensor toinitiate the scent release. Individual scented gases may be deliveredvia singular valve activation. Conversely, blending of multipleingredients may be accomplished via simultaneous or duty-cycledactivation of additional valves. In FIG. 4(C), clockwise from left-top,first, a configuration in which the VR/AR headset with scent containersis directly beneath a user's nostrils is shown. Next, the scentcontaining cartridge is shown to be removable from the headset forrefill, replacement, recycle or another purpose. The cartridge may berefilled by docking with a standalone recharge unit (an example isdepicted in the lower right inset of FIG. 4(C) or may be sent torecycling (discarded). In the lower left inset, a configuration of theheadset is shown with allows for adjacent control of gas flow and scentselection. Scents may be directly released near the nosespace withoutusing a directed flow tubing. Scent release actuation may be achieved bywireless signaling or wired signaling or be sensor activated, e.g.,sniffing by or inhalation from nose may trigger a sound or a gas-flowsensor to trigger scent release.

FIG. 4 (E) illustrates examples of scent delivery with midline cartridgelocation for VAR devices. The scented gas is created by directing gasflow through a removable/replaceable scent cartridge with open scentcontainer selected by remanent magnetization switch and into itsdedicated tube or channel leading to a scent diffuser near the user'snostrils.

FIG. 4 (E) schematically illustrates diagrams of scent delivery withmidline cartridge location in the headset for VAR devices.Self-contained scent delivery unit may be clipped to glasses or VAReyewear or worn alone with a structural brace, strap or other supportplaced on or around the head (420). Scent containing cartridge isremovable for recharge or replacement (422). Scented gases are deliveredfrom the cartridge to the nosespace by separate channels (426).Controller, pump, power and switches can all be interior for compactdesign and efficient operations (424). Scent release is fullycontrollable by adjacent switches. Scent release is accomplished bypushing gas flow through a removable/replaceable scent cartridge with anopen scent container selected by remanent magnetization switch and thenscented gas delivered through separate channeling to a scent diffusernear the user's nostrils. Individual scented gases may be delivered viasingular valve activation. Conversely, blending of multiple ingredientsmay be accomplished via simultaneous or duty-cycled activation ofadditional valves. Scented gas may be created by directing gas flowthrough the removable/replaceable scent cartridge with open scentcontainers selected by remanent magnetization switches permittingscented flow into dedicated tubes or channels leading to a scentdiffuser near the user's nostril.

Described in FIG. 4 (F) are fully or partially disposable scent deliveryunits for VAR devices. Scent release is accomplished by pushing gas flowthrough the disposable/recyclable cartridge, outbound channels, anddiffuser near the nostrils (428). Scent is selected by remanentmagnetization switches in the permanent portion comprised of fan,battery, microelectronics, and switches. Fully disposable/recyclable,self-contained scent delivery may also be attached to or incorporatedinto used with VAR devices or be worn alone. Partially disposable scentdelivery device with replaceable portion slotting into permanent portioncan also be one of the embodiment configurations (430). The permanentportion of the scent delivery device contains battery, fan,microelectronics, and switches (432). Disposable/recyclable portioncontains scent cartridge, outbound channels, and diffuser to be slottedinto permanent portion (434). Scent release is accomplished by pushinggas flow through the disposable/recyclable cartridge, outbound channels,and diffuser near the nostrils. Scent is selected by remanentmagnetization switches in the permanent portion comprised of fan,battery, microelectronics, and switches. Individual scented gases may bedelivered via singular valve activation. Conversely, blending ofmultiple ingredients may be accomplished via simultaneous or duty-cycledactivation of additional valves. Various embodiments of valves describedherein, e.g., using remanent magnetization switches located in thepermanent portion 432 may be used for controlling the scent delivery.

FIG. 4 (G)-(M) schematically illustrate various embodiments of scentingredient storage and delivery structures utilizing a cartridge or anarray of cartridges, which are mounted/positioned at various locations.

FIG. 4 (G) describes a self-contained controllable scent delivery fromone or more side-mounted replaceable/refillable cartridges for use withVAR devices or wearable alone with suitable attachment to the head(434). Scent release is accomplished by pushing gas flow through aremovable/replaceable scent cartridge located at the side of the headwith an open scent container selected by remanent magnetization switchand then scented gas delivered through separate channeling to a scentdiffuser near the user's nostrils. All scent release from headset,eyewear, or other configuration devices can be programmably actuated bywireless signals (such as Wi-Fi) or hard wired signals. The controlsoftware can be either stored in the hardware components or can beutilized through wireless signals. A symmetrical cartridge could also bepositioned on the opposite side of the head with delivery arm leadinginto the same diffuser.

FIG. 4 (H) describes a self-contained controllable scent delivery fromone or more side-mounted replaceable/refillable cartridges for use withVAR devices or wearable alone with suitable attachment to the head andsmall nosespace diffuser (436). Scent release is accomplished by pushinggas flow through a removable/replaceable scent cartridge located at theside of the head with an open scent container selected by remanentmagnetization switch and then scented gas delivered through separatechanneling to a scent diffuser near the user's nostrils. All scentrelease from headset or other configuration devices can be programmablyactuated by wireless signals (such as Wi-Fi) or hard wired signals. Thecontrol software can be either stored in the hardware components or canbe utilized through wireless signals.

FIG. 4 (I) illustrates a self-contained controllable scent delivery froma neck-mounted replaceable/refillable cartridge. Scent release isaccomplished by pushing gas flow through a removable/replaceable scentunit with cartridge suspended from the user's neck up throughscent-specific channeling to an anchored position at the side of thehead and then to a scent diffuser near the user's nostrils. Controlmechanisms and fan/pump are located with the suspended cartridge. As analternative, a larger unit containing control mechanisms, fan/pump andscent cartridge(s) could be rear mounted as a backpack to allow for agreater number or longer-lasting amount of scents.

FIG. 4 (J) illustrates a self-contained controllable scent delivery froma belt-mounted replaceable/refillable cartridge. Configuration can beworn and used with or without attachment to VAR headset or eyewear.Scent release is accomplished by pushing gas flow through aremovable/replaceable scent cartridge suspended from the user's belt upthrough scent-specific channeling to an anchored position at the side ofthe head, or alternatively routed to it, and then to a scent diffusernear the user's nostrils. Control mechanisms and fan/pump are locatedwith the suspended cartridge.

FIG. 4 (K) describes a self-contained controllable scent delivery froman arm-mounted replaceable/refillable cartridge. Scent release isaccomplished by pushing gas flow through a unit containingremovable/replaceable scent cartridge suspended from the user's arm upthrough scent-specific channeling to an anchored position at the side ofthe head and then to a scent diffuser near the user's nostrils. Controlmechanisms and fan/pump are located with the unit.

FIG. 4 (L) describes a self-contained controllable scent delivery from atabletop or handheld replaceable/refillable cartridge. Device can beconfigured for use with or without VR or AR headset. Scent release isaccomplished by pushing gas flow through a removable/replaceable scentcartridge in a tabletop or handheld unit up through scent-specificchanneling to an anchored position at the side of the head and then to ascent diffuser near the user's nostrils. Control mechanisms and fan/pumpare located with the scent cartridge.

FIG. 4 (M) describes self-contained, controllable scent delivery from alarge central unit with a large scent capacity (i.e. thousands ofdedicated scents). Device can be configured for use with or without VARdevice (e.g. for normal viewing of televisions or desktop computermonitors). Scent release is accomplished by pushing gas flow through ascent cartridge in the large central unit up through scent-specificchanneling to an anchored position at the side of the head and then to ascent diffuser near the user's nostrils. Control mechanisms and fan/pumpare located in the large central unit with a large capacity of dedicatedscents.

In FIG. 4 (G)-(M), scent release is accomplished by pushing gas flowthrough a conveniently located removable/replaceable scent cartridgewith an open scent container selected by remanent magnetization switchand then scented gas delivered through separate channeling to a scentdiffuser near the user's nostrils. All scent release from headset orother configuration devices can be programmably actuated by wireless orhard wired signals. The control software can be either stored in thehardware components or can be utilized through wireless signals orsensors. A symmetrical cartridge could also be positioned on theopposite side of the head with delivery arm leading into the samediffuser. Control mechanisms and fan/pump may be located with thesuspended cartridge unit or anchored with the headset or eyewear.Individual scented gases may be delivered via singular valve activation.Conversely, blending of multiple ingredients may be accomplished viasimultaneous or duty-cycled activation of additional valves.

FIG. 4 (N) shows an example three-dimensional scent delivery with dualor triple scent diffuser outputs. For directional scents, employing dualor triple scent streams with varying scent compositions andconcentrations allows for precise control of scent (location of originand other) perception. Delivery into the nosespace may be via fullyseparated channeling, or a combined or bundled channel with separatedoutputs.

FIG. 4 (N) depicts two potential configurations for directional scentdelivery applicable to three-dimensional environments. Employing dualscent streams with varying scent compositions allows for precise controlof scent perception. Delivery into the nosespace may be via fullyseparated channeling, or a combined or bundled channel with separatedoutputs. For example, in some embodiments, a first channel (“leftchannel”) may be used for delivery of scent and a second channel (“rightchannel”) may be used for delivery of corresponding dual scent, suchthat, at the output, the fluid being delivered out of the first outputchannel may be a combination of the left channel and the right channeland similarly a second output channel also may have scent delivered as acombination of the left and the right channels, in proportionscontrolled by the delivery system to provide a directional or spatialscent experience to the user. As with previous configurations, scentselection is accomplished by remanent magnetization valve activation.Scent concentrations may be varied dynamically via pressurizationlevels, duty-cycling, temperature and/or blending. Individual scentedgases may be delivered via singular valve activation. Conversely,blending of multiple ingredients may be accomplished via simultaneous orduty-cycled activation of additional valves.

In multimedia applications of controlled delivery (e.g. scent delivery),incorporation of an audio microphone into the nose space diffuser is auseful addition to the device to provide a combined audio and scentfunctionality. As depicted in FIG. 4 (O) schematically, one potentialembodiment of a scent delivery device situated below the user's nostrilshas an in-built microphone for audio capture and interaction during use.The adjacent location of the scent release and the auditory signalsproduced by the mouth is conveniently accommodated by a single armaturein this instance. Other embodiments may be connected by dual armaturesor a single central connection to the headset. Auditory signals may alsobe used to selectively, automatically or programmatically triggerautomated or programmed scent activation, and vice versa. A speechrecognition mechanism may also be employed. Additionally, software thatprogrammably coordinates the pairing of key words/phrases and/or sound(including without limitation the sound of breathing) dynamics withrelease of scent counterparts may be implemented.

FIG. 4 (P) shows a schematic illustrations of a wired desktopconfiguration for scent release. Signals from an adjacent computer arecarried to scent release device by wire connection initiating scentrelease on command. Computer or release device contains control softwarethat programmably releases the desired scent(s). Release may be directedby adjustable exit port or diffuser to a targeted space. Wiredconnections for scent release can be extended to various otherapplications beyond desktop applications, for example, brick and mortarshopping experiences, live entertainment, teleconferencing, etc.

Similarly, FIG. 4 (Q) depicts a wireless connected desktop scent releaseconfiguration. As shown in the figures, the scent release actuation andmanagement can be controlled by wired signals from an adjacent computeror by wireless signals from an adjacent computer, or through wirelesssignal or cell phone signal in combination with local wireless control.Computer or release device contains control software that programmablyrelease the desired scent(s). The control software that initiates therelease, maintains the duration and frequency and intensity of releases,and the termination of scent release, as well as the software thatconnect/coordinate various devices are some aspects of the disclosedtechnology. The software can also be utilized for synchronizing ofmulti-media display, including coordination of image, sound, scent,and/or other sensory elements or elements of content such as story,action, character, lighting, music, sound, movement, (in the case oftraditional film or animation) cuts and dissolves, (in the case of VR)transport between scenes, setting in terms of timing, sequencing,repetition, user priming, and so forth. The scent release may be bydirected diffuser or through flexible scented channeling or channels,with or without the diffuser. Wired and wireless connections for scentrelease can be extended to various other applications beyond desktopapplications, for example, on-line shopping, VAR experience orentertainment, teleconferencing, PPC banner or other type of onlineadvertisement, wearable applications such as clothing or jewelry,advertising kiosks or displays, etc. Individual scented gases may bedelivered via singular valve activation. Conversely, blending ofmultiple ingredients may be accomplished via simultaneous or duty-cycledactivation of additional valves.

In some embodiments, wireless signals from a nearby computer, ortransmitting sensors such as beacons are communicated to scent releasedevice to initiate scent generation and release on command. Computer orrelease device contains control software that is an integral part of theinvented device, and is programmed to select, generate and activelyrelease the desired scent(s) in certain fashion. Release may be bydirected by adjustable exit port or diffuser to a targeted space.Wireless connections for scent release include desktop use as well assuch applications as brick and mortar in-store display or point of saleor product shopping, teleconferencing, etc. Device can also beminiaturized for wearable applications such as device worn around theneck and angled towards user's nose space.

FIG. 4 (R) illustrates a mobile or fixed scent delivery device withflexible dimensions and placement as a unit. The unit may be set into afalse wall, sit as a large floor-based stand-alone unit, a smallertabletop seated unit, or other dimensionally flexible configuration. Theunit may have integrated user interface or external connection to anywired or wireless enabled media device. Scent may be replenished byrefill or cartridge replacement/recycle. Scent release is accomplishedby pushing airflow through a scent container located within the unitthrough scent-specific channeling to a directed scent diffuseradjustably aimed at the user's nosespace. Control mechanisms andfan/pump are located in the unit with a large capacity of dedicatedscents. Device may be constructed as a mobile unit or as fixed unit.Form, shape, and placement are flexible. Individual scented gases may bedelivered via singular valve activation. Conversely, blending ofmultiple ingredients may be accomplished via simultaneous or duty-cycledactivation of additional valves.

FIG. 4 (S) schematically illustrates self-contained controllable scentdelivery from a handheld device with detachable, replaceable orrefillable cartridge. Scent release is accomplished by pushing gas flowthrough a removable/replaceable scent cartridge preferably located atupper portion of the handheld with a scent container selected byremanent magnetization switch and scented gas delivered through separatechanneling to a scent diffuser at the end of the device. Such anindependent self-contained controllable scent delivery from a handheld,physically separated device (the expression “hand-held” here includesfinger-held, or worn at any part of the bare human or animal body) canbe actuated by pressing of one or more buttons on the unit itself, or bya wireless signal, cell phone signal, magnetic signal, optical signal,laser signal, sound/vibrational signal, or any cordless remote signal orsensor, actuated by the holder or another person who is not holding thedevice. Such an independent scent delivery device or an array of them,can also be placed on a remote location such as on a table top or on awall or attached to another device or fixture, and actuated by theoperator nearby or remotely located using wireless or other remotesignaling. For additional functionality, FIG. 4 (U) incorporates acamera, with which the handheld device can optionally identify a productand trigger a specified scent. The device can, wired or wirelessly,programmably synchronize to any digital/wireless, electronic, projector,VAR or live media. In either configuration, individual scented gases maybe delivered via singular valve activation. Conversely, blending ofmultiple ingredients may be accomplished via simultaneous or duty-cycledactivation of additional valves.

Any of the previous device configurations can optionally includeflavor/taste delivery with a conveniently located diffuser as in FIG. 4(T). The scent devices disclosed herein may be activated to deliverflavored gas to the user during eating to enhance, modulate, or modifyperception of taste. The scent devices may also be activated to deliverflavored gas while a user physically or in simulated fashion (VR, ARholographic or mixed reality activity) eats or drinks, or shops forfoods or beverages or other objects that are associated with taste. Withincorporated camera, the handheld device can optionally identify aproduct and trigger a specified scent. The device can, wired orwirelessly, programmably synchronize to any digital/wireless,electronic, projected, or live media.

As humidity levels may directly impact the quality, comfort or sensoryimpression of scent production from a scent delivery device, FIG. 4 (V)schematically illustrates the inclusion of a dehumidifier at the intakeport of the device to standardize the scent delivery parameters formulti-climate operation. Such dehumidifier may be combined, or placedsubsequent or preceding to a carbon filter or other gas purificationfilter. Such dehumidifier may be always activated, manually activated,or sensor activated. Flavor/Taste distribution may be incorporated intothe conveniently located diffuser dispersal mechanism.

FIG. 4 (W) schematically depicts an exhaust mechanism to be used inconjunction with any of the various cleaning mechanisms described herein(see FIG. 5). As needed, scent delivery devices may require analternative exit valve through which any waste substance from cleaningmay be discharged periodically. Including an additional dual remanentmagnetization valve near the device output allows for diverting the flowaway from the user's nosespace during and immediately followingcleaning. As humidity levels may directly impact the quality of fluidproduction from a scent or other fluid delivery device, optionally, adehumidifier may be included at the intake port of the device. Suchdehumidifier may be always activated, manually activated, or sensoractivated.

Examples of Fluid Delivery Channel Configurations

Deposition buildup on the interior of fluid delivery channels is asignificant limitation preventing the utilization of multi-flowchanneling and increasing the overall material necessary for highcapacity devices. Such deposits on the wall may also produce some scentand contaminate a subsequent incoming scent, thus affecting thecleanness and quality of the olfactory rendition of other scented fluidssent through the same channel later times. FIG. 5 (A)-(G) representsvarious embodiments of channel deposition cleaning procedures for thedelivery of multiple ingredients or materials consecutively orsimultaneously down a single channel. Thermal, chemical, andelectromagnetic/mechanical approaches are disclosed.

FIG. 5 (A) shows a schematic illustration of bundled scent-specificdelivery channels for delivery of various scented or unscented fluids toprevent cross-contamination of scents, each scent delivered from a scentcontainer has a single specific tube or channel that is not shared withany other scents. Such an assembly of individuated tubes or channelsnecessitate a larger overall diameter, which is acceptable for someapplications and may be less desirable for some other applications thatmay require many different scents (e.g., more than 10 different scents)and may prefer compactness rather than bulkiness, such as a light-weightheadset or eyewear worn by a user. To prevent cross-contamination oftypes of fluids, each fluid delivered from a container loaded with thatfluid material has a single specific tube that is not shared with anyother fluid.

FIG. 5 (B) schematically depicts a nonporous residue-resistant singlechannel which can be used for delivery of different scents at differenttimes. Using a single residue-resistant channel allows an overall devicesize reduction. For this purpose, the channel interior can be coated,for example, with a hydrophobic and/or lipophobic interior coating,smooth metal/ceramic layer deposition and plating (preferably an inertmaterial) or other deposition-resistant material that prevents orminimizes scent accumulations and contaminations. In this embodiment, asingle channel can deliver many scented or unscented fluids over aperiod of time, while preventing or minimizing cross-contamination ofscents. In some embodiments, a single residue-resistant fluid deliverytube or channel can accommodate the sequenced release and delivery ofmany individual differently scented or unscented fluids withoutdeposition on the inside surface of the delivery channel therebypreventing cross-contamination of fluids. A single, fluid deliverychannel can significantly reduce the overall size of the device. Tube(or channel of other geometry) interior can be coated with a hydrophobicand/or lipophobic material/texture or smooth metal/ceramic layerdeposition and plating that prevents or minimizes scentaccumulations/contaminations.

FIG. 5 (C) depicts deposition cleaning of an internal coating byresistive heating. A conductive liner is deposited on the interior ofthe delivery channel (or produced around a central element which issubsequently removed, e.g. by dissolution). Passing a current throughthe internal liner is then used to resistively heat the interior surfaceto break up or dissolve any surface depositions. In combination withinitial internal polishing or suitable coating to minimize buildup,resistive heating can effectively clear the channel of the previous flowmaterial and allow for differing materials to be passed through thechannel successively with minimal contamination. The metal liner on theinside wall of the channeling can be simply a thin-wall flexible metalchanneling inserted into a plastic (e.g. PTFE or similar or otherflexible) channeling. The metal channeling insert can be either aseamless channeling or an incompletely closed, bent or pliable metalsheet in the form of channeling. Alternatively, the metal liner can be athin deposited metal on the inside wall of the channeling, for example,accomplished by sputtering, evaporation, electroplating or electrolessplating, or chemical vapor deposition. Desirable metals for electricalcurrent resistive heating are made of high electrical resistivityalloys, such as Nichrome alloy (made of e.g., 80% Ni and 20% of Cr).

FIG. 5 (D) depicts deposition cleaning of an internal coating byinductive heating. A conductive magnetic liner is deposited or insertedon the interior of the delivery channel (or produced around a centralelement which is subsequently removed, e.g. by dissolution). The innerliner may then be inductively heated by a wrapping solenoid whenactivated by a high frequency AC signal. For inductive coupled heatingusing AC or RF field, the preferred liner material can be a metals oralloys, preferably strongly ferromagnetic alloys such as steel, siliconsteel, or Permalloy. Such magnetic alloy liner can be a simple metalchanneling inserted or deposited by sputtering, evaporation,electroplating, electroless plating, or chemical vapor deposition.Preferred thickness of the inner liner metal foil can be in the range of1-1,000 μm, preferably 5-100 μm. The lower limit thickness is to makesure that handling of a thin foil does not become too difficult or toodelicate, and also to ensure sufficient, rapid heating by magneticinduction. The upper limit is for the purpose of compactness of device,as well as to ensure that a sufficient electrical resistance is obtainedwith a thinner dimension foil for electrical resistance heating. In thecase of thin film coating by physical vapor deposition, chemical vapordeposition, electrochemical or electroless deposition, the desiredthickness is in the range of 0.2-50 μm, preferably 0.5-5 μm.

Chemical purging of the multi-flow channel as in FIG. 5 (E) may be usedsingularly or in combination with another deposition cleaning technique.A clean multi-flow channel when exposed to a scented or unscented fluidflow experiences deposition buildup due to factors such as molecularbonding with the surface or mechanical restriction in surfaceimperfections or van der Waals forces. A periodic, separate chemicalpurge, e.g. with acetone or other chemical vapor, dissolves thisinterior buildup layer to restore a clean multi-flow channel preparedfor successive flow of material, either of the same type or a differingcomposition. The flow and direction of a chemical purging agent may beselected for and controlled by a remanent magnetization valve asdisclosed herein. Cyclic cleaning with a chemical purge is one viablestrategy, perhaps in concert with the other listed options, forautomated cleaning of deposition build-up in a multi-flow channel.

In addition to thermal and chemical methods, internal deposition may bedealt with by kinetic means as in FIG. 5 (F) which shows depositioncleaning by electromagnetic shuddering of the channel while undergoinggas flow. It should be noted that thermal, chemical and kinetic methodsdescribed herein may be used individually or in combination. Asdisclosed, a multilayer channel could consist of a rigid externalchannel which supports a solenoid winding and a loose flexible internalchannel with magnets staggered lengthwise and radially along theexterior of the internal channel. When exposed to the field produce byan AC signal through the solenoid the shuddering of the channel canphysically contribute to the removal of deposited molecules or atomsfrom the channel interior. In combination with flow through the channelas it undergoes high intensity vibration, deposition may be ejected fromthe channel in preparation for other flow materials. An AC signalproduces sufficiently violent shuddering of the internal magnet-affixedtube to loosen deposition build-up. In the case of scent delivery,combination with unscented gas flow through the multi-flow tube, regularshuddering could restrict scent cross contamination.

FIG. 5 (G) schematically depicts a pre- or intermittent-heatingmechanism for cleaning system components. Occasional comprehensive orintermittent internal cleaning of one or a combination of a scentdelivery system's pressurization chamber(s), valves, container(s), andany other chambers with which scent streams interact may be accomplishedby the incorporation of a heating mechanism at the intake of a scentdelivery device. Sufficiently heating gas flow through all or a portionof the device acts to remove any deposition buildup throughout thedevice, but in particular is useful for those parts which are notalready actively cleaned (e.g. by a multi-flow channel). Occasionalcomprehensive or intermittent internal cleaning of one or a combinationof a fluid delivery system's pressurization chamber(s), valves,container(s), and any other chambers with which fluid streams withdiffering compositions (such as multiple streams with individuatedscented gases) interact may be accomplished by the incorporation of aheating mechanism at the intake. In typical applications this cleaninghardware and method would be paired with an exhaust valve prior torelease as in FIG. 4 (W).

Examples of Devices and Methods for Generation of Nano-bubbles,Nano-mist, and Scented Gas

Orthonasal drug delivery, an intranasal administration of lipid-solubleor water soluble medications, is gaining popularity for ease of drugabsorption. For example, for some children frightened by the use ofhypodermic needles or for patients with whom the intravenous access toinject a medication is difficult, the orthonasal drug delivery is aconvenient alternative route. A mouth-based breathing route may also beutilized, sometimes in combination with the intranasal route(insufflation). The orthonasal drug delivery is accomplished by inhalingof a vapor, mist, gas, or powder into a body cavity of the nostrilchannels. Many respiratory drugs for treatment of lung problems such asasthma or emphysema or some medications for allergy problems, aredelivered through the orthonasal route. Some recreational drugs orentheogens are also delivered this way.

One of the important aspects to note is that orthonasal drug deliveryoften induces much faster onset of drug effect than orally administeredmedication delivery, with the bioavailability usually higher than oraladministration. This bioavailability is caused by the quick absorptionof drug molecules into the bloodstream through the soft tissue presentin the mucous membrane of the sinus cavity and portal circulationbypass. As some drugs can have a higher rate of absorption, and are thusmore effective in smaller doses, through this route. Some particulardrugs have been manufactured in such a way that they need to bemetabolized by liver before they get absorbed by the GI tract forsystemic circulation, and such drugs should not be administered by theorthonasal route.

Another important aspect to note is that the orthonasal or intranasalroute administration of medications through the nose can allow certaindrugs and molecules to bypass the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) viadiffusion through the olfactory epithelium and the perineural sheath orvia retrograde axonal transport along olfactory and trigeminal nerves.The latter process probably implies endocytosis of the molecules, i.e.,the human body cells engulfing and absorbing large polar molecules thatcannot pass through the hydrophobic plasma or cell membrane. Many drugssuch as for treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) cannot effectively beabsorbed by the brain neural cells because of the BBB problem.Orthonasal drug delivery can thus be a convenient alternative method ofdelivering such medications to human body, so as to allow the brain toaccess high concentrations of drugs in the olfactory bulb (a neuralstructure which transmits smell information from the nose to the brain)that diffuses to the brain.

The scent delivery mechanisms and technologies disclosed in thisdocument can also be utilized for efficient and well controlled drugdelivery through orthonasal route described above. The drug deliveryusing the scent delivery mechanism in this document can administer drugsin the form of mist droplets (uniformly distributed in less than amicron in diameter), vapor, gas, or powder or other suspension. Inaddition to the advantages for efficient scent delivery, formation ofmist, or preferably nano-dimension mist for more efficient drugabsorption is an advantageous use of some of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 6 (A) depicts coated or hollow porous micro-/nano-particles forfragrance ingredient retention, optionally with magnetic particleactivation: Coated micro- or nano-particles allow for the high surfacearea to volume ratios necessary for scent delivery. Moving to hollow,porous particles allows for longer play durations while retaining thehigh surface area advantage. Inclusion of magnetic inner particlespermits activated release via exposure to an alternating electromagneticfield to agitate the magnetic particles. As the magnetic particles areaccelerated and decelerated by the alternating field within the particleinterior, momentum imparted to the scent molecules serves to raise thesubstance temperature, driving up vaporization through the nano-porousor micro-porous surface as well as to eject scent material from thepores.

FIG. 6 (B) schematically illustrates a cross section of a containerdivided into separate compartments, useful for long-term applications inwhich contamination or oxidation may be an issue. In this design, aliquid ingredient reservoir is included to periodically or continuallyreplenish the adjacent scent substrate. Transfer from the liquid chambermay be accomplished by capillary action, pressurization, or similar. Asdepicted, three transfer channels allow liquid to flow from thereservoir to the high surface area scent substrate. Additionalchanneling may be added to sufficiently supply the substrate.

FIG. 6 (C) schematically illustrates a cross section of a dividedcontainer, useful for long-term applications. In this design, a liquidscent ingredient reservoir is included to periodically or continuallyreplenish the adjacent scent substrate consisting of porous, hollow,branched channeling. Inclusion of pores on the small or large channelingallows for high surface area exposure of the liquid ingredient base.Transfer from the liquid chamber may be accomplished by capillaryaction, pressurization, or similar. As depicted, three levels ofbranching distribute liquid across the substrate. Additional branchingnesting, levels, angles, extensions, etc. may be employed to increasesurface area of scent substrate to maximally scent air (or other gas) asit flows through the chamber from inlet to outlet.

FIG. 6 (D) schematically shows a device for dispersingmicroscale/nanoscale droplets via pressurized distribution of a fluidthrough a patterned plate with hydrophobic/lipophobic/omniphobic coatingon the egress face with droplets being dispersed into a transverse flowof air or other gas. The use of hydrophobic/lipophobic/omniphobiccoating enhances the release of mist droplets or vapor bubbles mucheasier from the mist-generating or vapor bubble-generating structures,according to some embodiments. The patterned plate may be produced withmicroscale or nanoscale pores using any convenient manufacturingtechnique such as AAO (Anodized Aluminum Oxide) self-assembly followedby etching, photolithography, nanoimprinting, etc. Surface tensionforces prevent unpressurized fluid (e.g. medicine) leakage through thepores and surface coating/treatment on the posterior of the plateprevents surface wettability from depleting the reservoir followingrelease. To accomplish nebulization, pressure is applied to the fluidreservoir by a plunger (either manually or machine-aided) to force smallstreams/droplets of liquid through the patterned plate and into thetransverse air/gas flow. Droplet size may be controlled by altering thedimensions or geometry of the plate pores and/or varying the velocity ofthe transverse flow. Use of nano or micro dimension mesh or porestructures are useful for generating smaller, sub-micro or nano bubblesand mists. Alternatively, utilizing surface structures alone such as aroughened or patterned or grooved or holed or textured or wire-meshsurfaces can be employed to generate smaller bubbles, with the texturedor roughened surface dimension preferably less than 10 μm, morepreferably less than 1 μm, even more preferably less than 0.1 μm inwidth, hole size, or filament spacing. Such surface structure can beinduced by mechanical sand blasting, lithographical patterning, chemicalor electrochemical etch patterning, surface anodization, RF texturingfor surface nanowires, or physical attachment of premade nanowires,nanomesh layer, nanopowder layer, or membrane material onto the surface.Drop separation may be promoted via resistive heating, inductiveheating, or use of catalytic surfaces.

Both 3-D or 2-D surface structures of nano or micro dimension mesh orpore structures or roughed surfaces can be optionally heated by e.g.,electrical current for resistive heating to further accelerate thebubble/mist formation. Metallic structures are preferred to ceramicstructures to perform resistive heating. The extent of heating can beeither above the boiling temperature of the liquid involved to activelyincrease the rate of bubble formation, or can be to somewhat below theboiling temperature to simply enhance the kinetics of bubble formation.

Another embodiment of mist generation is depicted in FIG. 6 (E) whichdescribes a device for dispersing microscale/nanoscale droplets viathree-dimensional mesh with a hydrophobic/lipophobic/omniphobic surfacewhich is shaken by mechanical connection to a surrounding piezoelectricmaterial activated in a high frequency range. A microscale or nanoscalemesh with hydrophobic, lipophobic, or omniphobic coating or surfacetreatment promotes the formation of nanoscale bubbles and cavitations inthe interspersing fluid. High frequency vibration of the mesh bypiezoelectric activation of a surrounding element produces dropletejections into the transverse flow above the reservoir. Locating themesh at the surface of the reservoir efficiently nebulizes the liquidwith droplet size being influenced by frequency and scale of the mesh.In FIG. (E) embodiment, drop separation may be promoted via resistiveheating, inductive heating, or use of catalytic surfaces.

For vaporization as opposed to nebulization, FIG. 6 (F) schematicallyillustrates a device for continuous uptake of a fluid viamicrobubbles/nanobubbles held separate by nanoscale lengthwise filamentsas vapor flows through the liquid containment chamber. Two patternedplates with nanoscale or microscale pores as produced by AAOself-assembly and etching or similar process are utilized to contain aliquid but permit gas flow through the container. Micro- or nano-bubblesare guided through the reservoir and kept separate by a lengthwise arrayof filaments. In some embodiments, microscale or nanoscale filamentguides optionally with hydrophobic, lipophobic, or omniphobic surfacetreatment, preferably with a droplet contact angle of >100 degree, morepreferably >130 degree. Minimizing bubble size and maximizing quantityresults in a high surface-area to volume ratio and optimal vaporizationof the fluid into the resultant stream of scented or loaded vapor.

For fully solidified, high-concentration applications, FIG. 6 (G)schematically depicts a scent ingredient specific, solid or semi-solid,interconnected, and nonporous media allows for extended lifetimes andminiaturization. Alternative gasses may be employed (Nitrogen, Argon,Etc.) to limit oxidization, or to alter olfactory rendition orimpression. Vaporization of the scent ingredient may be accelerated byexposure to higher temperatures. The treatment may be useful to promotehydrophobic, lipophobic, or omniphobic surfaces on the filament arraymay further promote bubble formation.

Examples of Devices, Features, and Methods for Comfort or Enhanced ScentExperience

In a number of possible applications, the scent devices of the presentdocument are intended for extended periods of use, whether inconjunction with the contemporaneous presentation of media or otherwise.In this light it is important to take into account the human (or, asappropriate for use, animal) biological and neurological makeup toensure scent delivery can be comfortably presented for extendeddurations. For example, the individual or sequential presentation ofscented gases with varying duration comprised of variable gasconcentrations and molecular ingredients must be taken into account.Comfort and hedonics of use must also be taken into account if the userexperience is to be viable, desirable or optimized.

Further, scent delivery to users can help optimize experience with orwithout media, or be used to create new or other desired user sensationsand reactions with or without media. The presentation of scent may beaccompanied by sound or music or synchronized or paired with othermedia, whether in readable format, in images or sound separately oraudiovisual format, touch media (e.g. haptics), taste media (e.g.foods), or media of any other kind or combination. When presenting thesense of smell in conjunction with other sensory, broadcast orcommunication media, the intermodal effects between the human senses canenhance or modify experience and perception. For example, the dramaticelements of a story, whether presented in book or movie format, can beheightened or colored by presentation of appropriately selected scents.Leitmotifs of scents can be programmed for release in or between scenesof a film (or videogame) to remind the audience of previous action orelements of the story, much as musical leitmotif might be used in a filmsoundtrack. Realistic characters, or avatars, can be associated withtheir individual smells. By way of further example of intermodalinterplay, in therapeutic applications chronically or terminally illpatients who may have little taste could be induced to eat throughdelivery of scents (and flavors) specially designed to augment taste andthe improve the hedonics of a specific food he or she is eating.

With specific reference to VAR applications, the sense of smell is acritical sensory dimension required to experience total immersion (i.e.,a complete sense of realism and presence in a remote environment).However, the ad hoc presentation of scent without accompanyingappropriate realistic dynamics can have the opposite effect—to triggerthe brain's jarring awareness of its artificial introduction, therebyinhibiting the sense of presence. For example, the smell of a virtualobject could be presented to or experienced by the user withoutinappropriate intensity given either the nature of the object or itsvisually perceived distance from the user, thereby destroying theillusion of reality.

Additionally, a system that can monitor and synchronize delivery to auser's breathing (intake or pattern of intake) can reduce unnecessaryscent delivery and thereby increase the efficiency of scent devices andlower costs of use (of amount of scent ingredients) in scent devices orcartridges. Other biological sensors can adjust scent delivery toaccommodate user comfort or accentuate or modify user experience, or theperceived content of live, 2D, 3D or VAR media he/she is experiencing.

Features of the device embodiments to enhance, modulate, modify oroptimize the user's experience may include:

FIG. 7 (A) schematically depicts the inclusion of a humidifier into ascent delivery device prior to output to introduce moisture into scentedgas delivery or alternatively delivery moisturized (unscented) gasdirectly to the user's nosespace. Such a humidifier may be alwaysactivated during device use, or selectively or automatically activatedvia sensor or programming. Moisturizing the nose space (e.g. the innerlining or epithelium of the user's nose as well as the user's lips) iscritical to avoid irritation and maximize user comfort, or may be alsoused to modify or enhance the user impression of type, characteristicsor qualities of a scent being delivered, or the media accompanying orsynchronized to scent delivery. The embodiment may be useful to avoidunpleasant chapping of lips or nostrils from an extended use duration ofa scent delivery device. The humidifier may be optionally included priorto scent output. Such humidifier may be always activated, manuallyactivated, or sensor activated.

FIG. 7 (B) schematically depicts the inclusion of a heating unitalongside the delivery channel to increase the temperature of a scentedgas. Such a heating mechanism may be selectively or automaticallyactivated via sensor or programming using resistive or inductiveheating. A heating mechanism can be used to heat device intake air in anoutside, cold environment for user comfort, or alternatively, used inany external environment to modify or enhance the user impression oftype, characteristics or qualities of a scent being delivered, or themedia accompanying or synchronized to scent delivery.

FIG. 7 (C) schematically depicts the inclusion of a thermoelectriccooling unit alongside the delivery channel to cool the temperature of ascented gas. A cooling mechanism can be used to cool device intake airin an outside, or a hot environment, for user comfort, or alternatively,used in any external environment to modify or enhance the userimpression of type, characteristics or qualities of a scent beingdelivered, or the media accompanying or synchronized to scent delivery.

FIG. 7 (D) shows the inclusion of a blending valve, as in FIG. 3 (H) tovary volume (intensity) of scent during scent delivery by controlleddilution of the scented gas stream with a stream of unscented gas.Volume/intensity may also be controlled by varying the pressurizationlevel, duty-cycling the remanent magnetization valve activation, orchanging the ingredient loading levels within the fragrance ingredientscontainer. Depending on the particular hardware configuration all or anycombination of these intensity control measures may be employed. Forexample, in a configuration with the scent cartridge positioned directlybeneath the nose as in FIG. 4 (B)-(D) or similar, intensity would becontrolled by some combination of pressure level, duty cycling,cartridge ingredient concentration, temperature and the inclusion of aduty-cycled unscented gas stream. For individual scented gas deliverythrough a single multi-flow channel as in FIG. 5 (B)-(F), volume controlcould be accomplished by some combination of controlled pressurizationand a blending valve to controllably dilute the scented gas withunscented gas prior to the delivery channel. For delivery of mixed orcoupled ingredients in a scented gas as in FIG. 3 (A)-(F), volumecontrol could rely on the combination of pressurization, duty-cycledingredient activation, temperature, varied liquid/solid ingredientconcentration levels within the cartridge containers, and dilution ofthe mix of scented gases with a controllable volume of unscented gas.Volume adjustment can be manual (adjusted by user), automated orprogrammed to vary according to the level desired, or designed (to vary)with accompanying media or activities.

FIG. 7 (E) schematically depicts an operation in which a single scentedgas stream is separated into two (or more) tubes (or channels) that aredirected into the nose space or, in the case of two channels, can bedirectly placed at the base of the nostrils for scent delivery. At thetime and for the duration of scent delivery either (i) one or morechannels may be closed while the other(s) stream (deliver) scent, or(ii) any combination of channels may programmably deliver the same ordifferent scents in specified combination, in the same or specifiedvarying concentrations, either continuously or stepwise in concentrationand/or timing.

The ability to deliver differing or variable concentrations toindividual nostrils during presentation of media (i.e. a movie,videogame or advertisement) can facilitate 3D perception of the scentlocation and depth in the media space being presented. For example, onemay wish to render (match) a smell of an object or character of avideogame that/who is situated to the left from the user'sstandpoint—delivery only to the left nostril, with intensity to matchperceived distance and location from user can be calibrated to impartthe impression that the smell suitably appears to be emanating from theobject to the left of the user in three dimensional space.

The ability to deliver varying scented gases (and concentrationsthereof) in each or any combination of delivery channels gives thedevice the further option to programmably mix (more limited) ranges ofscents or scent accords combinatorially in the nosespace to providespecial effects or more rapidly produce certain scent compounds.

FIG. 7 (F) shows the feedback mechanism enabled by the incorporation ofa camera or other sensors into a scent delivery device to observe theuser's physical state during operation that captures and records (i)topological features of the face, neck or other exposed parts of thebody (including skin and its surface features such lines or wrinkles(and their deformations) and emission of heat), (ii) head pose, bodyposture or movement, (iii) individual body features such as hands andtheir movement or position, etc. Device software that interprets movingor still image(s) of the user can identify user emotion, behavior,intention, or nervous system state, as well as patterned tendencies ofthe foregoing, and can be programmed to activate the selection,generation and delivery to the user of (iv) scents from a ready-madescent container in a scent delivery device scent cartridge; or canotherwise can be programmed to (v) select, a labeled formula (containinga list of ingredients, parameters such as molar weights andspecifications for blending and for release such as concentration) andinstruct the delivery device to selectively blend the formula's compoundfor release and delivery to deliver to the user. The software mayoptionally send instructions to trigger the operation of other sensorygenerating mechanisms (such as heating, cooling, or moisturizing), whiledelivering the aforesaid selected blended scent compound (or ready-madescent as the case may be), in order to further enhance or modify userexperience and perception. For example, whilst playing a videogame, auser's features may be captured on camera and interpreted by thedevice's software that the user is exhibiting anxiety. The softwaremight be programmed to automatically trigger the device's coolingfeature to lower the scent delivery temperature and thereby induce acalming influence on the user. The embodiments may include acamera/sensors (or link to one in VAR device) for optical/motion captureand detection of facial features and expressions, movement of the heador body (to interpret emotion as well as to use for interpretation ofthe distance and location in 3D virtual space of a scent from the user,and breathing (the last of which can be used to synchronize scentdelivery to an individual's breathing or breathing cycle).

FIG. 7 (G) presents a schematic overview of the inputs, decisions, andoutputs which may be incorporated into a scent delivery device forenhanced, modified or optimized user experience. Basic layouts ofsoftware inputs, functions, and outputs for a fully functional,responsive, integrated scent delivery device which actively orprogrammatically adjusts scent outputs according to user feedback,virtual or digital media and/or user(s) interactions, interactivity orexchanges, and designed parameters is shown. The following sectionsaddress various approaches to scent delivery interactions.

FIG. 7 (H) shows example embodiments for consumers, commercial or othertypes of users may design new scents or programmatically select scentsfrom a database drawing from tabulated formulae, chemical parameters,and pertinent regulatory restrictions (i.e. restricted use of chemicalsor chemical concentrations for delivery) for wired or wirelessinstructions (transmission) to other user devices with compliantsoftware to trigger timed or real-time blending or container selectionand device release. Instructions may be transmitted from one or a groupor users to others for purposes, for example, of (i) digital sharing orexchange of scents (ii) synchronization with the play of scented mediaof any type (e.g. with books, email, films, videogames, music, etc.),(iii) for online shopping, and so forth. Programmatic interpretation ofdescriptions, content, user state, environment, social, psychometric,and chemical blending parameters enable programmatic or automateddigital scent creation and transmission and interaction between users,optionally in conjunction with transmitted audiovisual or other media,

Scented Virtual, Mixed or Augmented Reality (“VAR”) Data,Communications, Sensors and Signals

Scent devices may be attached or integrated into VAR devices. A scentdevice's software, hardware and/or electronics may be enabled tocommunicate with or transmit data between it and its companion VARdevice to permit scent device reception and interpretation of lightfield array, waveform, VAR camera, laser, tracking, motion capture,music and other VAR media data or user data. The scent device softwaremay be programmed to read and interpret the aforesaid VAR data that isreceived and trigger selective activation, generation and delivery ofscents in response to or coincident with VAR user activity orexperiences.

VAR Media

Some embodiments may be attached or integrated into VAR devices. A scentdevice's software, hardware and/or electronics may be enabled tocommunicate with or transmit data between it and independent mediastreamed to the VAR device (e.g. videogames, movies, simulators,instructional or training videos, etc.). The scent device software maybe programmed to read and interpret the media data and trigger selectiveactivation, generation and delivery of scents in response to orcoincident with VAR user behavior or other response or experience.Alternatively, the scent device software may manually, automated orprogrammably transmit data to the VAR device with operation instructionsor transmission data for the purpose of altering, superimposing,enhancing or otherwise modifying the independent media being transmittedto the user during scent delivery.

External Environment Sensors and Transmission

Some embodiments may be enabled to receive signals and information fromexternal wired or wireless sensors and transmission devices such aslaser or other optical or wireless beacons. Said signals can activateand/or instruct scent device software for timed scent generation anddelivery. The devices may also separately or reciprocally transmit data,using suitable software and communications interface, to transmissiondevices or sensors. For example, a food product in a grocery store withsensor might automatically or programmably activate the user's scentdevice to generate and deliver a specified scent of a food while theuser picks up that food product from the shelf. By way of furtherexample, the sensor or transmission device might trigger activation of aperfume video advertisement on a store display screen as a userapproaches a display, while simultaneously activating the user's scentdelivery device and transmitting data to it to select, generate anddeliver, synchronized to specific elements of the advertisement, thesmell of the perfume brand being advertised. In this last example, thesmell of the cologne of an actor could be activated for release to theuser at the moment the actor appears on screen and switch off the momenthe departs the scene.

Speech Recognition

Auditory signals may also be used to selectively, automatically orprogrammatically trigger scent activation, and vice versa. Speechrecognition mechanism may also be employed. Additionally, software thatprogrammably coordinates the pairing of key words/phrases and/or sound(including without limitation the sound of breathing) dynamics withrelease of scent counterparts may be implemented. In particular, scentdelivery may be optionally activated in response to sniffing/inhalationfrom the nose.

Scent Transmission between Users

The scent devices and software disclosed in the present document mayenable one or a group of users to share or transmit scents (alone) orscented media (such as scented photos, emails, voicemail, video, sounds,music, songs, stories, or other scented media of any kind), with otherusers via internet, cell phone, VAR device or any other communicationsor broadcast hardware, application, program, interface (including mediainterface such as a website) and/or software. For example, personalusers might post or share scented pictures of their respective holidayswith each other via Facebook, or send scented emails to each other, etc.FIG. 7 (H) provides a layout of scent delivery transmission.

Companies or other third parties (whether commercial, governmental,military, institutional or organizational) may wish to transmit scentedmedia to users of devices disclosed herein using compatible software forvarious purposes. For example, a travel agency may wish to digitallytransmit a scented brochure or video of a tropical resort to users foradvertising purposes. By way of further example, beauty internetshopping sites might wish to digitally transmit scented images ofperfumes to users while advertising special offers. Another exampleincludes Alzheimer's patients whose doctor might use the deliverydevice's API to program scent release tagged to simultaneouslytransmitted images of his children to assist in restoration of hismemory and recognition of them.

Scent Creation

Some embodiments may also enable a single user or multiple users incollaboration to create perfumes, fragrances used in bath and otherbeauty products, or scents designed for scented travel videos, scentedmovies, scented videogames or other media, or scents for other purposes.

Users may be professional or non-professional. For example, professionalperfumers might use the devices disclosed herein to create perfumes forretail sale, or scents for a client travel agency's scented brochure.Non-professional users might create perfumes or other scents forpersonal use or to digitally share or exchange with other users.

Programmatic Assistance for Scent Creation and Transmission

To ease scent creation, and sharing or other interaction involvingscent, users may use the delivery device's software (such as an API) tosearch its database by keyword such as name of scent ingredient or,scent accord labels, or other descriptions, chemical parameters, etc.The scent delivery device's information database and categories maycomprise: (i) fragrance and flavor (“scent”) formulae with labels andaccompanying descriptions of smell (ii) link of formulae with associatedscent family, chemical structure or other user or system definedcategories; (iii) chemical ingredients (and their constituent elementsand parameters such as molar weights, etc.) (iv) restricted or upwardbound of concentrations of each or a combination of ingredients; (v)database of IFRA/legal/governmental guidelines for or restrictions onuse of chemicals for scent delivery or application. To further aid scentcreation and transmission, the scent delivery device or software mayinclude:

the capability to interpret user descriptions and instructions involvinghedonics and psychophysical descriptions of or reactions to smells andto programmably generate formulae for automatic or timed scentgeneration and delivery;

the capability to passively interpret, record and retrieve content anddynamics of audio, visual, audiovisual or other multi-media ormultisensory content (or digital or other broadcast data) presented(live or digitally) to user, and to programmably generate formulae forautomatic or timed generation and delivery of scents synchronously orasynchronously with the content;

the capability to interpret, store and/or transmit user data such userfacial, body and pose or motion capture and breath inhalation/exhalationpattern to programmably generate formulae for automatic or timedgeneration and delivery of scents to user;

the capability to interpret external wireless or wired signals andinstructions for automatic or timed activation of fragrance compoundingand delivery to user or among users;

the capability to interpret (digital or live) social interactions amongusers and programmably select to generate formulae (for rule-based ordefined purposes) and timed delivery of scents to users;

the capability to digitally share any user data (including user'sfragrance and flavor database) with other users' compatible devices;

and the capability to enable other users or third parties (e.g.companies) to send instructions to user's software to programmablygenerate formulae and timed generation and delivery of scents to one ormore users.

Haptic Scent Activation

Some device embodiments described herein may be used in conjunction withhaptic technology that operates to impart the impression of the sense oftouch during interaction between users while using VAR or other media.The scent devices might be triggered by the haptic software or hardwareoperations, or, alternatively, the software of the scent devices may beprogrammed to interpret haptics functions or operations or signals toprogrammably activate and select scents or sensory features for scentdelivery to modify or enhance the perception of touch or the attendantmedia. For example, during a virtual reality videogame, the player withhaptics controllers might experience increasing force feedback whilstattempting to (virtually) push a rock up hill. A scent of sweat might besynchronized with haptics operation to increase in intensity the harderthe user pushes the rock.

Flavor/Taste Activation

Some device embodiments described herein may be activated to deliverflavored gas—optionally in conjunction with release of other devicesensory features such as moisture—to the user during eating to enhance,modulate, improve or modify perception of taste. For example, whilstphysically eating a custard desert, the mouthfeel or perception ofcustard texture might be enhanced with the selective release ofmoisture.

The scent devices may also be activated to deliver flavored gas or mistwhilst a user experiences smells of foods or beverages or other objectsthat can impart impression of taste whilst immersed in VAR media. Forexample, the scent device of a user in a VAR environment who isvirtually attending a cooking show might be programmably activated forsynchronous scent delivery of the flavors of bacon being virtuallycooked. In this example, scent intensity might optionally be increasedin sync with the sound of increased sizzling of the bacon as it iscooked.

Breathing Interval or Pattern Recognition

Some device embodiments described herein may incorporate a camera tomeasure swelling of an individual's chest (or clothing covering it) ordetect signals from a wearable sensor, to determine the user's real-timeor recorded inhalation and exhalation. Media or third party applicationswith suitably compatible software may be enabled to programmably selectspecified scents for scent generation and delivery timed to breathinterval or pattern during the use of the media or applications.Alternatively, device programming may interpret third party media orsoftware to programmably select scents for scent generation and deliveryduring streaming of or the interaction with media. For example, ascented (war) videogame might be programmed to trigger a sulfurous scentrelease and delivery to the user when the user launched a shoulder-firedrocket and destroyed a nearby enemy tank.

Device software may also be programmed to time scent delivery onlyduring intervals of breath inhalation and cease delivery duringexhalation for most expedient use of scent material, for example, asdepicted in FIG. 7 (I). Active monitoring of a scent device user (e.g.,his/her audio, body position, reactions) allows for a programmaticdetermination/estimation of their respiratory waveform. Knowledge of theanticipated or real-time intervals between delivery activation andperception (accounting for device geometry, human perception, andswitching time) allows for output adjustments such that scent is onlysupplied during breath intake (inhalation). Further dynamic adjustmentsincorporate 3-D delivery, motion adjustments, and blending formulae.

Using the technology described herein, for example, as discussed withrespect to FIG. 3(A) to 3(H) and FIG. 7(A) to 7(I), a digitallycontrollable scent creation and delivery apparatus includes an array ofcontainers (e.g., containers holding ingredients 306), each containerhaving an inlet through which an input carrier gas flows in, a chamber,called a scent container, for holding a material containing anelementary or a base chemical producing a characteristic odor, called ascent ingredient, or an ingredient, and an outlet through which amixture of the input gas and the scent ingredient flows out, a flowregulation mechanism (e.g., one or more of valves 306, 308) thatcontrols gas flow through each container based on electromagneticsignals, one or more blending chambers coupled to outlets of thecontainers and having a delivery channel outlet, the blending chambers(e.g., 310) allowing individual outputs from the outlets of thecontainers to blend together homogeneously to generate a pre-determinedscent and flow the pre-determined scent out through the delivery channeloutlet, and a pressurization chamber coupled to inlets of thecontainers, and generating the input carrier gas flows.

In some embodiments, digitally controllable device for dispensing ascented gas, vapor, or liquid substance includes a cartridge structurethat includes one or more containers, each containing a scentingredient, scent composition, drug or other scented or unscentedsubstance, a housing structure that includes a compartment to hold thecartridge, an opening to allow the one or more substances to dispense toan outer environment from the device, and one or more transportingchannels formed between the compartment and the opening, wherein each ofthe one or more transporting channels is configured to deliver asubstance from the corresponding container to and through the opening,and an actuator switch arranged in a corresponding transporting channeland operable to move between an open position and a closed positionbased on an applied signal to selectively allow passage of the scentedsubstance from the corresponding transporting path.

In some embodiments, for example, as described with respect to FIG. 1(A)to 1(L), a valve for controlling flow of a fluid includes a flow channelallowing passage of the fluid, the flow channel having a first portion(e.g., lower portion 121) and a second portion (e.g., upper portion 123)separated from the first portion by a hard or soft seal having anopening, the first portion having an inlet for a fluid to enter the flowchannel and the opening allowing fluid to enter the second portion, amagnetically moveable pin positioned in a channel in the valve, the pinmoveable along the channel into a closed position in which the pin ismagnetized and closes the opening, thereby disallowing the gas to flowfrom the first portion of the flow channel into the second portion ofthe flow channel and an open position in which the pin is demagnetizedand separated from the opening, thereby permitting the gas to flow fromthe first portion of the flow channel into the second portion of theflow channel, and a solenoid located on an exterior of the valve in aregion corresponding to the pin such that an electrical current throughthe solenoid in one direction controls the magnetization and thereby theposition of the pin between the closed position and the open position,wherein the pin is further moveable from the closed position to the openposition by having the gas under sufficient pressure to move the pinalong the guide.

In some embodiments, for example, as described with respect to FIG. 1(A)to 1(L), a digitally controllable valve apparatus for controlling flowof a gas, vapor or a liquid substance includes a housing having a highpermeability plate with a through-hole on one end and a back plate withone or more through-holes at another end, a remanent magnetization pinpositioned in an interior of the housing and able to move back and forthbetween the one end and the another end such that when the pin ismagnetized it moves to the one end, the pin makes contact with the highpermeability plate, thereby closing the through-hole and disallowingpassage of a gas or a vapor or a liquid substance through the housing,and when the pin is demagnetized it moves away from the one end towardsthe another end, the pin allows passage of the gas or the vapor or theliquid through the through-hole, the interior of the housing and the oneor more through holes at the another end, and a solenoid on an exteriorof the housing, the solenoid being able to carry electric current tocause magnetization or demagnetization and subsequent movement of thepin between the one end and the another end.

In some embodiments, for example, as described with respect to FIG. 2(A)to 2(C), a check valve apparatus includes a planar ring comprising aring material surrounding an opening at a center thereof, and a flapmade of a flap material affixed to the ring via at least one hinge,wherein the flap is moveable around the hinge at least in a closedposition in which the flap stops passage or leakage of a fluid throughthe opening and an open position in which the flap allows the fluid toescape via a gap between the flap and the planar ring through theopening. A magnetic attraction force between the ring material and theflap material acts to move or hold the flap in the closed position andan air flow force pressing against the flap acts to move the flap in anopen position.

In some embodiments, for example, as described with respect to FIG.3(H), a mixing or dividing valve apparatus includes a three channelhousing, with each channel in the same plane and an axially symmetricalopen central chamber at the meeting of the three channels such that theaxis is orthogonal to the plane containing the three channels, aradially positionable blocking wedge located within the central chamberand rotatable around the central chambers symmetric axis, a highpermeability mating piece embedded into the blocking wedge andpositioned adjacent to valve exterior, an arced array of magneticallylatchable pins wound in solenoids positioned exterior to the valve whichis magnetized or demagnetized by electromagnetic signals, wherein theangular position of the blocking wedge about the central chamber axis isdetermined by the magnetic attraction force between the embedded highpermeability mating piece and the magnetized external latchable pin andserves to direct flow from a first channel to a second channel, to athird channel, or to split flow between the second and third channelwith the proportional amount determined by the radial position of theblocking wedge, or alternatively to permit flow into the first channelfrom the second channel, from the third channel, or to combine flow fromboth the second and third channels with the proportional amountdetermined by the radial position of the blocking wedge.

In some embodiments, for example, described with respect to FIG. 4(A) to4(V), a digitally controllable scent creation and delivery apparatusincludes an inlet port from which air enters the apparatus, an outletport from which a pre-determined scent flows out of the apparatus, anarrangement of a pressurization mechanism, remanent magnetization valvesand scent containers that hold scent ingredients wherein the arrangementcomprises, from the inlet port to the outlet port, a cascade from oneof: the pressurization mechanism followed by the remanent magnetizationvalves followed by the scent containers, the pressurization mechanismfollowed by the scent containers followed by the remanent magnetizationvalves, the scent containers followed by the remanent magnetizationvalves followed by the pressurization mechanism, the remanentmagnetization valves followed by the scent containers followed by thepressurization mechanism, the remanent magnetization valves followed bythe scent containers followed by a second set or remanent magnetizationvalves followed by the pressurization mechanism, or the pressurizationmechanism followed by the remanent magnetization valves followed by thescent containers followed by a second set or remanent magnetizationvalves, wherein the pressurization mechanism forces air out of itsoutput and where the remanent magnetization valves control airflow byselective opening of the valves using electromagnetic control signals.

In some embodiments, for example, described with respect to FIG. 4(A) to4(V) and FIG. 8, a method 800 of delivering a digitally controlledscent-enhanced multimedia experience includes delivering (802) anon-olfactory sensory stimulus such as sound, visual and/or otherstimuli to a user, controlling (804) a synchronous delivery of a scentstimulus from a scent device by an electromagnetic control signal thatcontrols scent activation, scent blending, release and delivery to auser, delivering (806) the scent stimulus to the user wherein the scentstimulus is related to the non-olfactory stimulus and enhances,augments, modifies, alters or integrates with user experience of thenon-olfactory stimulus, delivering (808) the scent stimulus to the userwherein the scent stimulus is related to the non-olfactory stimulus andthe user is engaged with the non-olfactory stimulus passively oractively, or interactively, and selectively delivering (810) the scentstimulus to the user wherein the scent stimulus is related to thenon-olfactory stimulus, while the user is engaged in an activity.

In some embodiments, for example, as described with respect to FIG. 6(A)to FIG. 6(G) and FIG. 9, a method 900 of generating mist of a scentingredient includes storing (902) a scent ingredient in a liquid form ina reservoir having at least one porous side that allows controlledescape of the scent ingredient in a particulate form, causing (904) thescent ingredient to escape the reservoir in the particulate form throughthe at least one porous side into a flow chamber, controlling (906)airflow through the flow chamber to achieve a desired separation of thescent ingredient in the particulate form into a mist comprising scentparticles, and outputting (908) the mist form at an outlet of the flowchamber.

In some embodiments, for example, as described with respect to FIG. 6(A)to FIG. 6(G), a mist generation apparatus includes a reservoir thatstores a scent ingredient in a liquid form, the reservoir having atleast one porous side that allows controlled escape of the scentingredient in a particulate form, a mechanism that causes the scentingredient to escape the reservoir in the particulate form through theat least one porous side into a flow chamber, a flow chamber forallowing air to flow to achieve a desired separation of the scentingredient in the particulate form that has escaped from the porous sideinto a mist comprising scent particles, and an outlet for outputting themist from the flow chamber.

In some embodiments, for example, as described with respect to FIG. 7(A)to 7(I) and FIG. 10, a method 1000 of digitally controlling a scentdelivery array comprising a plurality of remanent magnetization valvesthat control release of scent ingredients from containers includesrepeated turning on and off (1002) of the remanent magnetization valves,causing (1004) pressure of release of the scent ingredients to vary,metering (1006) dilution of the scent ingredients by mixing withunscented gas; modulating carrier gas temperature (1008) therebyblending and controlling (1010) concentrations and ratios of scentingredients; and causing (1012) a desired scent to be delivered from thescent delivery array.

In some embodiments, for example, as described with respect to FIG. 7(A)to 7(I) and FIG. 11, a software implemented method 1100 of providingcustomizable olfactory experience includes storing (1102), in asearchable database, including without limitation, scent descriptionsand labels ingredients and accompanying formulae, chemical parameters,consumer or individual data preferences, tastes and perception, and/orregulatory restrictions, limitations, parameters or conditions governinguse or delivery to user of scent ingredients or compositions, receiving(1104) an input signal indicative of an event for which a particularscent is requested, deriving (1106), at least based on the searchabledatabase, scent creation, generation and delivery information for theinput signal, and operating (1108) a digitally controllable scentdelivery apparatus comprising an array of scent containers, a flowregulation mechanism, a mixing chamber and a pressurization chamber togenerate and deliver the particular scent.

In some embodiments, for example, illustrated in FIG. 12, a method 1200of delivering a substance to a target site includes providing (1202) oneor more containers that hold one or more ingredients that make up thesubstance, wherein each container is fitted with at least onemagnetically controllable valve, operating (1204) a control circuit toselectively actuate, based on a desired characteristic of the substance,at least some of the magnetically controllable valves, causing at leastsome of the one or more ingredients to mix in a pre-determinedproportion, and delivering (1206) a resulting homogeneous mixture of thesubstance through an outlet placed in proximity of the target site.

In some embodiments, for example, as described with respect to FIG. 7(E) and FIG. 13, a method 1300 of delivering digitally controlledscent-enhanced multimedia experience includes controlling (1302)delivery of a first scent stimulus from an array of scent containers byan electromagnetic control signal that controls release of scentingredients from at least some of the scent containers in the array to afirst channel, controlling (1304) delivery of a second scent stimulusfrom the array of scent containers by the electromagnetic control signalthat controls release of scent ingredients from at least some of thescent containers in the array to a second channel, delivering (1306) afirst mixture of the first scent stimulus and the second scent stimulusin a first proportion near a user's left nostril space, and delivering(1308) a second mixture of the first scent stimulus and the second scentstimulus in a second proportion near a user's right nostril space, wherethe first proportion and the second proportion are selected to enable aspatial scent experience by the user. For example, when a desired userexperience is that the scent is coming from the user's extreme left,100% of left channel may be mixed with 0% of right channel and deliveredto the left nostril. Because the scent stimuli themselves may becomposed of multiple distinct smell ingredients, a complex sensoryexperience that simulates simultaneous olfactory experience frommultiple fragrant sources in multiple places may thus also be providedto the user.

Various disclosed embodiments and techniques may be described using thefollowing clauses.

Clause P1.1—A magnetically latchable switch structure with gas flowspring instead of a mechanical spring as illustrated in FIG. 1B as thisnew structure is compact, simpler and more easily controlled than thatof the devices described in the PCT application by the same inventors,application serial number PCT/US14/035054, entitled “SWITCHABLE GAS ANDLIQUID RELEASE AND DELIVERY DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS”.

Clause P1.2—A magnetically latchable switch structure withnon-cylindrical pin guide to facilitate gas flow, for example, asillustrated in FIG. 1D-1G, this structure is compact, simpler, and moreeasily controlled.

Clause P1.3—A method of using a cantilever spring separation of themagnetically latchable switch structure, e.g., as illustrated in FIG.1G. This new structure is robust, orientation-independent, and compact.

Clause P1.4—A structure of a magnetically latchable switch that uses apressure-based separation of the magnetically latchable switchstructure, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1H. This structure is compact,orientation-independent, and simple.

Clause P1.5—A magnetically latchable switch structure that usesgravity-based separation for gas flow, e.g., as in FIG. 1I. Thisstructure is compact, simple, and suitable for some fixed positionapplications.

Clause P1.6—A magnetically latchable switch structure withnon-cylindrical solenoid/pin-guide, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 1H.This structure is more efficient, compact, and simpler.

Clause P1.7—The magnetically latchable switch structure with dualsolenoids separately responsible for valve opening/closing viamagnetization and demagnetization (as in FIG. 10. This structure is moreresponsive and more easily controlled.

Clause P1.8—An X-Y or X-Y-Z matrix array of FIG. 1A-1I devices, forexample, as in FIG. 1J-1L) for an apparatus having a large number, rapidand rapidly switchable, energy efficient, scented or unscented gasdelivery capability.

Clause P1.9—A magnetically latchable switch structure with either singleor dual flat spiral solenoids, e.g., as depicted in FIG. 1L, thisstructure is compact, manufacturable with typical lithographicprocesses, controllable, and responsive.

Clause P1.10—An X-Y or X-Y-Z matrix array of FIG. 1A-K devices, e.g., asin FIG. 1L-N. This matrix array is used for rapid and rapidlyswitchable, combination of a large number of scented or unscented gasingredients for blending and delivery.

Clause P2.1—A magnetically closed check valve with magnetized ring andmagnetic flap affixed via hinge, e.g., as in FIG. 2A. This check valveis compact, simple, and suitable for passive gas flow controlapplications.

Clause P2.2—A magnetically closed check valve with magnetized ring andmagnetic flap affixed via hinge, e.g., as in FIG. 2B. This check valveis compact, simple, and suitable for passive gas flow controlapplications.

Clause P2.3—An array of FIG. 2A-2B devices (as in FIG. 2C) for passivelymanaging flow for large number scent delivery capability.

Clause P3.1—An X-Y or X-Y-Z matrix array of FIG. 1A-K devices for timed,rapid blending and rapid, sequential delivery of a large number offormulae of unscented or scented gases, e.g., as shown in FIG. 3A-3F.The two or three dimensional array of magnetically latchable valveswitches allow for convenient and rapid selection, generation, anddelivery of desired scented or unscented fluids either individually oras homogeneous blends. Just one switch can be opened for one specificscented or unscented gas, or multiple valves can be activatedsimultaneously for combination of gases. The switch can be activated bywireless or hard wired signals with compatible software, so that aparticular device is magnetized or demagnetized, and fluid flow isinitiated or stopped.

Clause P3.2—Devices as in Clause P3.1 configured with individualremanent magnetization valves controlling each individual ingredient,e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3C & 3E.

Clause P3.3—Devices as in Clause P3.1 configured with remanentmagnetization valves which may be aligned with ingredient containers viarotation or X-Y or X-Y-Z addressable motion of either the ingredientcontaining container or the valve housing, e.g., as shown in FIG. 3D.

Clause P3.4—Devices as in Clauses P3.1, P3.2, and P3.3 with gas flowpassing through multiple layers of valves and ingredient containerssequentially or in timed fashion either in mirrored, stacked, or nestedconfigurations, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3D & 3F. This configurationenables miniaturization and accelerating blending of a large number ofingredients in a formula.

Clause P3.5—A latchable remanent magnetization blending or dividingvalve with an exterior arc of magnetically latchable pins and a radiallypositionable internal blocking wedge with embedded high permeabilitymating piece, for example, as depicted in FIG. 3H. This design is energyefficient with passive latch positions, flow is fully enclosed, andprovides for ratio control.

Clause P4.1—Devices containing magnetically latchable switch structures,as recited in Clauses P1, P2, and P3, that selectively activate the flowof gas through one or more containers with scented substrates or coatedor other retention material, arrayed and enclosed in a replaceableand/or refillable scented solvent cartridge, to generate a scentedstream of gas deliverable, for example, in the methods andconfigurations depicted in FIG. 4.

Clause P4.2—A scent delivery device with an interchangeable cartridge,with exit ports controlled by check valves as in P2.1 and P2.2 orremanent magnetization valves, which slots into an array of remanentmagnetization valves positioned directly adjacent to and directed intothe nose space with scent release accomplished without any deliverychanneling (e.g., as in FIG. 4B-4C). This method permits compactness toenable storage of a large number (hundreds) of ready-made scents in acartridge, and avoids internal deposition issues of using single scentdelivery channels and provides for integrity of the delivered scent.

Clause P4.3—As illustrated in FIG. 4B-4O for integrated use with andattachment to or incorporation into VR, AR or mixed reality (“VAR”)headgear and eyewear that can be electronically activated forsynchronized use with media content presented to the VAR user. Thesedevices can be configured (i) with removable/refillable, integratedscent cartridge and diffuser that is fed by fan or micro-pump elementsand gas channels incorporated into or attached to the headset, where theintegrated cartridge is attached to (i) the middle section of a VRheadset to enable diffusion of scented gas directly into the nosespace;(ii) integrated unit (containing fan, channels, microcontroller andother electronics, battery, replaceable scent cartridge and diffuser)that clips on or otherwise attaches to VAR headwear/eyewear; (iii)configured with scent cartridge placed near the upper or side section(s)of the VAR headwear/eyewear or worn around the neck, on the back, aroundthe belt, or on or near the arm or shoulder; (iv) set on a desktop orsome other stationary location.

Clause P4.4—Devices in Clause P4.3, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 4D-4O,whose components mounted to VAR headgear or eyewear are instead worn andmounted independently to straps or other materials securing the deviceon the head. Devices in this Clause P4.4 can be worn or operated with orwithout (or independent of) VAR headgear or eyewear.

Clause P4.5—Devices as in Clauses P1, P2, P3, and P4 in which theactuation of scent release and control can be done by wired signal orwireless signal, magnetic signal, optical signal, sound/vibrationalsignal, or any cordless remote signals.

Clause P4.6—A method of self-contained, controllable scent delivery,incorporating a magnetically latchable switch structure as in Clause P1,from a handheld, physically separated device with detachable,replaceable or refillable cartridge. This independent hand- orfinger-held scent delivery device can be (i) actuated manually bypressing of one or more buttons on the unit itself and automaticallydeactivated with button release or programmed for timed duration anddeactivation, or (ii) automatically or programmably for timed, on-offscent delivery by a wireless signal, cell phone signal, magnetic signal,optical signal, sound/vibrational signal, or any cordless remote signalor sensor. It can also be actuated by the holder or another person whois not holding the device. Such an independent scent delivery device oran array of them, can also be placed on a remote location such as on atable top or on a wall, and actuated by the operator nearby or remotelyactivated by sensor or using wireless or other remote signaling.

Clause P4.7—Scent delivery to user from dual or multiple scent streamswith varying scent compositions and concentrations (e.g., as depicted asin FIGS. 4N & 7E) for purposes of assisting a user of a VARscent-enabled device with compatible software to determine or impart theimpression of origin, and location in 3D or virtual space, as well ascharacteristics (including, for example, strength of smell) of objects,scenes, events or other content in VAR media.

Clause P4.8—A method of scent delivery from a cartridge or diffuserpositioned adjacent to and directed into the nose space with anintegrated microphone (e.g., as in FIG. 4O) as a space-saving,integrated and multi-functional design used with:

Clause P 4.8.1—speech recognition that communicates with device softwareuser's instructions or requests specifying scents for immediate, timedor sequential delivery to user or other users with compatible devicesand software.

Clause P.4.8.2—user sound input (such as waveform or other sound data)for biofeedback to any scent device with compatible software or othermultimedia device.

Clause P4.9—A method of delivery of flavor(s)/taste(s) from a cartridgeor diffuser positioned adjacent to and directed at the mouth withintegrated scented gas delivery, e.g., as depicted in FIG. 4U, andoptionally delivered with other sensory elements such as moisture. Thetechnique is advantageous due to its space-saving, integrated andmulti-functional design and the ability to impart a variety of sensoryelements to impact or vary impression of taste.

Clause P5.1—An assembly of multiple but individuated tubes or channelsfor scent transport, or one or a few contamination-resistant tubes orchannels that can be shared for delivery of various different scents atdifferent times, such assembly as, for example, can be incorporated intodevices as in Clause P4.

Clause P5.2—A method of multi-flow channeling utilizing an internallayer of conductive film or conductive sheet layer which may beresistively heated by passing current through the material to clear anysurface depositions, e.g., as in FIG. 5C. This structure and method, inconjunction with exhaust purging of cleared deposition as in FIG. 4W, 5Cor 5E to 5G, permits the use of a single channel for multiple flowcompositions without cross-contamination. Higher electrical resistivitymaterials coating or layers are preferred for such resistive heating.

Clause P5.3—A method of multi-flow channeling utilizing an internallayer of conductive film or conductive sheet layer which may be heatedinductively by an external solenoid coil activated with alternatingcurrent (e.g., as in FIG. 5D). This structure and method, in conjunctionwith exhaust purging of cleared deposition as in FIG. 4W, 5C or 5E to5G, provides for energy efficient purging and the use of a singlechannel for multiple flow compositions. Conductive metals or ceramicscan be used as the inductively heatable layer, with ferromagneticmaterials, especially those with higher magnetic moment and greaterhysteresis loss preferred for such coating or inserted layer.

Clause P5.4—A method of chemical purging of the interior of a multi-flowchannel (e.g., as in FIG. 5E), particularly as controlled by latchableremanent magnetization valves.

Clause P5.5—A method of multi-flow channeling utilizing a rigid orsemi-rigid external layer supporting a solenoid winding and a looseflexible internal channel with magnetic materials staggered radially andlinearly which may be physically shuddered/shaken when the solenoid isactivated by an alternating current (e.g., as in FIG. 5F).

Clause P6.1—A method of scent vaporization via coated, encapsulated orhollow, porous micro-nano-particles, optionally with internal magneticparticles for triggered activation in the presence of an alternatingmagnetic field (e.g., as in FIG. 6A).

Clause P6.2—Divided scent ingredient containers with a solvent reservoirwhich replenishes an adjacent high surface area substrate via capillaryaction, pressurized delivery, or similar (e.g., as in FIG. 6B).

Clause P6.3—Divided scent ingredient containers with a solvent reservoirwhich replenishes an adjacent high surface area substrate via capillaryaction, pressurized delivery, or similar through branched hollowmicro-/nano-channels with porous surfaces to allow the passage ofsolvent ingredient (e.g., as in FIG. 6C).

Clause P6.4—A technique for mist generation by forcing liquid through amicroscale or nanoscale patterned plate with a hydrophobic, lipophobic,or omniphobic surface treatment on the opposite side of the plate (as inFIG. 6B) into a transverse vapor flow. This method is simpler,controllable, and energy efficient.

Clause P6.5—A technique for mist generation by shaking a microscale ornanoscale mesh with hydrophobic, lipophobic, or omniphobic surfacetreatment submerged partially or wholly in liquid (e.g., as in FIG. 6C)with adjacent transverse vapor flow. This is an efficient way fornebulization and delivery of micro and nano-droplets.

Clause P6.6—A method of achieving continuous vaporization by passingmicrobubbles or nano-bubbles through patterned plates into filamentguided reservoir chamber (e.g., as in FIG. 6D) and out through a secondpatterned plate. This method provides for increased uptake of vaporizedmaterial.

Clause P7.1—Incorporation of a humidifier at or near the outlet port ofscent delivery devices (e.g., as in FIG. 7A). This embodiment is usefulto prevent discomfort, enable longer duration of use, and provide addedsensation to impact user experience.

Clause P7.2—Modulated heating of a scented or unscented gas stream byresistance or inductance heating prior to or after discharge from a gasflow device (e.g., as in FIG. 7B) used in a method for:

Clause P.7.2.1—modulation of ambient intake temperature for optimizedscented or unscented gas generation, including blending, and flow.

Clause P.7.2.2—uncontaminated gas delivery to user.

Clause P.7.2.3—optionally standardized or variable gas temperaturedelivery.

Clause P.7.2.4—delivering the additional sensory component of heat todevice user.

Clause P. 7.2.5—modifying user perception of media broadcast orpresented to the user of scent devices disclosed herein.

Clause P7.3—Modulated cooling of a scented or unscented gas stream bythermoelectric cooling prior to or after discharge (e.g., as in FIG. 7B)used in a method for:

Clause P. 7.3.1—modulation of ambient intake temperature for optimizedscented gas generation, including blending, and flow.

Clause P.7.3.2—optionally standardized or variable gas temperaturedelivery from the devices of the present document.

Clause P. 7.3.3—delivery which imparts an additional sensory componentto the user of the devices of the present document.

Clause P.7.3.4—accompanies user interactivity, interaction, activity oractions of users of the scent devices disclosed herein when using a VARdevice or application thereof.

Clause P7.4—Blending and control of concentrations and ratios of gasingredients via high frequency cycling of remanent magnetization valves,pressure and/or temperature variations and/or metered dilution withunscented gas (as in FIG. 7D) to programmably (according to a specifiedformula) generate balanced, homogeneous compounds, adjustable inperceived intensity, for scent delivery to users.

Clause P7.5—Delivery of scent flavor(s), optionally synchronized withdelivery of sensory elements such as moisture or cold or hottemperature, touch, sound or other sensory media, from scent devices ofthe present document to users in a method:

Clause P 7.5.1—to impact perception of taste during physical orsimulated eating.

Clause P.7.5.2—to enhance shopping for or induce purchases of foods,beverages, flowers or other objects or goods that emit or are associatedwith smell during VAR, 2D computer, laptop or notebook, cell phone, oronline or brick and mortar shopping.

Clause P 7.6—A method of using biosensor feedback of a user's state todynamically adjust scent output of scent devices (e.g., as in FIG. 7F).This mechanism allows for device automated or programmatic adjustment ofscent selection and delivery to alter user's emotional, behavioral orbiophysical state or comfort level, or for enhanced or modifiedexperience or interactivity during or in conjunction with liveactivities or when using compatible scent-enabled VAR devices.

Clause P7.7—Programmed softwares for devices, as in Clause P4, thatcontrol and determine scented gas release actuation and delivery,dictate the frequency and duration of release and delivery, andterminate the scent release and delivery, as well as for communicationof the foregoing to various other electronic or wireless devices.

Clause P7.8—Software for synchronizing of media streaming orpresentation to user, including coordination of timing, sequencing,repetition, etc. of scent selection, blending and scent delivery to user(in blending devices) with image, sound, music (or other media elements)in devices disclosed in the present document.

Clause P7.9—Software for synchronizing of media streaming orpresentation to user, including coordination of timing, sequencing,repetition, etc. of scent selection and scent delivery to user (innon-blending devices) with image, sound, music (or other media elements)in devices disclosed in the present document.

Clause P7.9—Software as in Clauses P7.8 and P7.9 that can also beutilized in user-specific actions during media streaming or presentationto user when in a live environment or operating or using a media devicesuch as VAR devices.

Clause P 7.10—Software as in Clauses P7.8 and P7.9 that can also beutilized in user-specific actions or interactions in shopping activitiesor advertising, including but not limited to utilization of addedsensors that detect the motion/vibration such as breathing or sniffingaction of the user, sensors that can optically recognize the nature ofthe object including hand held device approaching the nose, or a motionsensor detecting an object or device moving toward the customer's faceto automatically or programmably activate scented gas release anddelivery. The software may also remember the customer's habits(especially a repeat customer or frequent customer) and program andactivate selected scents for delivery according to programmablecriteria, such as customer preferences and habits. The software can alsocoordinate activation, duration and termination of scent release anddelivery between foregoing activities and breathing action of the user.

Clause P7.11—Selected scent(s) in devices as in Clause P4 can beprogrammably actuated by wireless signals (such as Wi-Fi, magneticsignal, optical signal, sound-activated signal, etc.) or wired signalsfrom any communications or media device with suitable software forexample, from a cell phone, TV remote control, laptop computer, wallswitch, VAR devices, haptic devices and so forth. Such a hand-held scentrelease device can hold a large number of dedicated and ready-madescents.

Clause P7.12—Utilization of electronic or wireless microphone activatedsignals to selectively, automatically or programmably triggersimultaneous or timed activation of scent or drug delivery, or viceversa.

Clause P7.13—Programmable software that recognizes and associates keywords, phrases, voice inflections, volume and other sound dynamics withscents in a database, and that coordinates simultaneous or timed on-offscent delivery (optionally with other sensory features such asintensity) with speech or sound.

Clause P7.14—Scent creation by users of devices of Clauses P 3 and P 4(optionally with facilitated collaboration) via connection to a serveror remote server or service (e.g. the ‘cloud’) containing a search|[MM1]able scent database (scent descriptions and labels with matchingformulae, chemical and blending parameters, regulatory restrictions andrequirements, and so forth) which may be instructed or programmed byusers using scent device software or interface is claimed for thecapability to transmit or exchange scent creation information and data(including without limitation formulae) by or between users of scentcompatible devices or software by any wired or wireless means.

Clause P7.15—Scent creation software in devices of Clauses P3 and P4with capability to:

Clause P7.15.1—interpret user digitally written and transmitted or oraldescriptions and instructions involving hedonics and psychophysicaldescriptions of or reactions to smells and to programmably adjustformulae for automatic or timed scent compounding and delivery to user.

Clause P7.15.2—passively interpret, record and/or retrieve content oflightfield array, animation, motion capture, waveform, or other audio,visual or audiovisual or other media data or content and to programmablygenerate formulae for automatic or timed scent compounding and deliveryof scents synchronously or asynchronously to users.

Clause P7.15.3—capture/record, interpret and/or store user data suchuser facial, body and pose or motion capture and breathinhalation/exhalation pattern or real-time breath intake to programmablygenerate formulae and accompanying sensory effects (e.g. gas temperatureand intensity) for automatic or timed scent compounding and delivery ofscents to user. A scent formula may identify scent ingredients by theirchemical composition, weight of constituent elements and concentration,and may also identify a proportion of mixing various chemicals oringredients. A scent formula may, for example, identify entries of ascent database that lists various scent compounds or scents themselves.The scent database may include automated or rule-based adjustments torebalance formula of scents used in other applications (e.g. perfumesfor application to skin).

Clause P7.15.4—receive and interpret external wireless or wired signalsand instructions for automatic or timed activation of scent compoundingand delivery to one or more users.

Clause P7.15.5—interpret (digital or live) interactions between usersand programmably generate formulae for automated or timed scentcompounding and delivery of scents to and among them.

Clause P7.15.6—interpret interactivity of user(s) with VAR content andprogrammably generate formulae for automated or timed scent compoundingand delivery of scents to user(s).

Clause P7.15.7—digitally share or provide access to a user's fragranceand flavor database with other users' compatible devices.

Clause P7.15.8—enable other users or third parties (e.g. companies) tosend instructions to user's software to automatically or programmablygenerate formulae for automated or timed scent compounding and deliveryof specified scents to one or more users.

Clause P7.15.9—in Clauses P15, to alternatively enable automatic orprogrammable selection of ready-made scents in scent cartridges of thepresent technology for automated or programmable delivery of scents tousers, in lieu of automated or programmable generation of formulae forcompounding and delivery to users.

Clause P7.16—Measurement and evaluation of a scent delivery deviceuser's breathing pattern and/or expected or real-time breathing intervaland subsequent timing of scent release to match with the anticipated orpresently sensed inhalation, breath pattern or interval as in FIG. 7I.

Clause P8.1—Liquid, mist, powder, gas or suspension drug deliverythrough Clause P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, and P7 devices through thenostrils, the mouth, or specific regions of the skin for transdermaldrug delivery, whether targeting specific organs or for more generaldispersal in the body.

Clause P8.2—Orthonasal drug delivery devices for effective, rapid,controlled medication administration using a magnetically actuatedswitch system having a dispensing mechanism pointed toward or insertedinto the nose cavity.

Clause P8.3—Orthonasal drug delivery devices enabling the use ofmedications in the form of vapor, mist, gas, or powder includingsuspensions.

Clause P8.4—Orthonasal drug delivery devices to treat lung problems suchas asthma or emphysema, or for treatment of allergy problems, aredelivered through the orthonasal route.

Clause P8.5—Orthonasal drug delivery devices to treat brain relateddiseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy,psychopathic drugs or other drugs related to the functioning of brain.

Clause P9—Other applications for devices as in Clause P1-P8 includeonline, live or VAR social interaction, videoconferencing, shopping,advertisement and other commercial activity, entertainment and otherexperiences, activities or interactivity; social media; fragrance,flavor or taste formula creation; behavioral modification; therapy;aromatherapy; training; instruction/education; simulations; olfactorydisplays; online streaming and broadcasts; brick and mortar shopping andbath and beauty products, foods, flowers sampling; orthonasal drugdelivery; through-mouth drug delivery with dropwise delivery of drugsusing mouth-oriented headset (for patients who cannot easily drink);on-demand fluid synthesis for research or manufacturing, etc.

Implementations of the subject matter and the functional operationsdescribed in this patent document can be implemented in various systems,digital electronic circuitry, or in computer software, firmware, orhardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification andtheir structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them.Implementations of the subject matter described in this specificationcan be implemented as one or more computer program products, i.e., oneor more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a tangibleand non-transitory computer readable medium for execution by, or tocontrol the operation of, data processing apparatus. The computerreadable medium can be a machine-readable storage device, amachine-readable storage substrate, a memory device, a composition ofmatter effecting a machine-readable propagated signal, or a combinationof one or more of them.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, softwareapplication, script, or code) can be written in any form of programminglanguage, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can bedeployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module,component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computingenvironment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to afile in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a filethat holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in amarkup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program inquestion, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store oneor more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer programcan be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computersthat are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can beperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions by operating on input data andgenerating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performedby, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logiccircuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC(application specific integrated circuit).

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, aprocessor will receive instructions and data from a read only memory ora random access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer area processor for performing instructions and one or more memory devicesfor storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer will alsoinclude, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer datato, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g.,magnetic, magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computerneed not have such devices. Computer readable media suitable for storingcomputer program instructions and data include all forms of nonvolatilememory, media and memory devices, including by way of examplesemiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memorydevices. The processor and the memory can be supplemented by, orincorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.|[M M2]

While this patent document contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of any invention or of what may beclaimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific toparticular embodiments of particular inventions. Certain features thatare described in this patent document in the context of separateembodiments can also be implemented in combination in a singleembodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in thecontext of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multipleembodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover,although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particularorder, this should not be understood as requiring that such operationsbe performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, orthat all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirableresults. Moreover, the separation of various system components in theembodiments described in this patent document should not be understoodas requiring such separation in all embodiments.

Only a few implementations and examples are described and otherimplementations, enhancements and variations can be made based on whatis described and illustrated in this patent document.

1. A digitally controllable scent creation and delivery apparatus,comprising: an array of containers, each container having an inletthrough which an input carrier gas flows in, a chamber, called a scentcontainer, for holding a material containing an elementary or a basechemical producing a characteristic odor, called a scent ingredient, oran ingredient, and an outlet through which a mixture of the input gasand the scent ingredient flows out; a flow regulation mechanism thatcontrols gas flow through each container based on electromagneticsignals; one or more blending chambers coupled to outlets of thecontainers and having a delivery channel outlet, the blending chambersallowing individual outputs from the outlets of the containers to blendtogether homogeneously to generate a pre-determined scent and flow thepre-determined scent out through the delivery channel outlet; and apressurization chamber coupled to inlets of the containers, andgenerating the input carrier gas flows.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein each scent container holds a material containing two or moreodor producing ingredients based on a scent composition.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow regulation mechanism controls thegas flow by one or more of a gas flow volume, speed, or duration and/ora frequency of valve opening/closing electronic actuation current signalhaving a digital on-off frequency and/or selection and actuation of oneor a number of scent containers in the array.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, wherein pressurization level in the pressurization chamber controlsthe gas flow by controlling gas flow volume and/or gas flow speed and/orgas flow duration and/or a gas flow event having a digital on-offfrequency.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein pressurization level inthe pressurization chamber is controlled by a piezoelectric pump, apositive displacement pump, an electric fan, in a path between input andout of the device or combination thereof to produce a pressuredifferential driving flow through containers selected by the flowregulation mechanism.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the flowregulation mechanism controls gas flow through each container to allow aspecific percentage or concentration of the scent ingredient in carriergas from each scent container to be delivered to the blending chamber,thereby resulting in a pre-determined scent different from that held inany individual scent container in the array.
 7. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the flow regulation mechanism includes a bank of valvescoupled to inlets of containers of the array, the valve being operableto control flow of the input gas into inlets of the valves based on theelectromagnetic signals.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein valves inthe bank comprise: an actuator switch operable to move between an openposition and a closed position based on an applied electromagneticsignal to selectively allow passage of gaseous material via atransporting channel from an input of the valve to an output of thevalve.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the actuator switchincludes: a magnetically latchable gating valve assembly structured toinclude (i) a base structure inside the transporting channel andincluding a high permeability material that forms a passage through thebase structure, and (ii) a magnetizable pin assembly set against thebase structure in the transporting channel and including a solenoidcomponent, a substantially square-loop magnetization material formingthe pin component, and a guide structure containing the pin component,wherein the magnetizable pin component is in contact with the basestructure blocking an opening of the passage when the actuator switch isin the closed position, and the magnetizable pin component, whendemagnetized, is not in contact with the base structure when theactuator switch is in the open position exposing the opening of thepassage, wherein the magnetizable pin has a magnetic switchingcoercivity of less than 200 oersted; and wherein the pin component ismoveable in the guide structure to move upon a change in a surroundingsolenoid's magnetic field to actuate the opening or closing of theactuator switch in the transporting channel.
 10. The apparatus of claim9, wherein the magnetizable pin has a magnetic switching coercivity ofless than 120 oersted, and a squareness ratio of a remanentmagnetization to a saturation magnetization is at least 0.8.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the squareness ratio is at least 0.85, orat least 0.9.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the highpermeability component of the base structure has a relative permeabilityof at least
 100. 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flowregulation mechanism includes a bank of valves coupled to outlets ofscent containers of the array, the valve being operable to control flowvolume, speed, duration, and an on-off open-close frequency of carriergas flow through each scent container and release from outlets of thevalves based on the electromagnetic signals.
 14. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the array of scent containers are arranged in aone-dimensional pattern, a two-dimensional pattern, or athree-dimensional pattern with the pattern of the scent containers beinga linear configuration, a circular configuration, a spherical or randomconfiguration, or another selected configuration.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the array is rotatable along an axis orthogonal to thetwo-dimensional pattern to cause at least some scent containers of thearray to align with the flow regulation mechanisms, while other scentcontainers of the array are not aligned with the flow regulationmechanisms.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, further including anelectronically controlled rotation mechanism coupled to the array forrotating the array and/or coupled to the flow regulation mechanisms forrotating the flow regulation mechanisms in response to a rotationcontrol signal.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, further including anelectronically controlled rotation mechanism coupled to the array or tothe flow regulation mechanisms comprising one or more high permeabilitymating pieces which is magnetically linkable with one or more of anadjacent radial series of magnetically latchable pins with solenoidswound around each pin such that an electromagnetic signal can magnetizeor demagnetize the pins to rotate the array or flow regulationmechanisms in response to a rotation control signal.
 18. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the array of scent containers form athree-dimensional pattern.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein thethree-dimensional pattern comprises multiple two-dimensional arrays ofscent containers such that, prior to being delivered out of the deliverychannel outlet, the input gas travels through multiple scent containers.20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the three-dimensional patterncomprises a stacked configuration of containers, a mirroredconfiguration of containers or a nested configuration of containers. 21.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the array includes a seconddisk-shaped two-dimensional pattern of scent containers that are placedinto radial alignment with the first disk-shaped two-dimensionalpattern.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the disk-shapedtwo-dimensional pattern of scent containers are removable andreplaceable individually or as a unit.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21,wherein the disk-shaped two-dimensional pattern of scent containers arerefillable with scent material either individually or as a unit bycoupling with a separate recharge unit containing additional reserves ofscent material delivered into the scent containers by capillary actionor by a pressurized injection.
 24. The apparatus of claim 21, whereinthe array includes additional disk-shaped two-dimensional pattern ofscent containers that are placed into radial alignment with the seconddisk-shaped two-dimensional pattern, the second disk-shapedtwo-dimensional pattern of scent containers being stacked over the firstdisk-shaped two-dimensional pattern of scent containers.
 25. Theapparatus of claim 21, wherein the array includes additional disk-shapedtwo-dimensional pattern of scent containers that are placed into radialalignment with the second disk-shaped two-dimensional pattern, thesecond disk-shaped two-dimensional pattern of scent containers beingmirrored and stacked over the first disk-shaped two-dimensional patternof scent containers.
 26. The apparatus of claim 1, further including ahumidifier chamber adjacent to the scent delivery outlet through which aseparated channel of unscented gas may be directed to humidify the noseand mouth space of the user during independent operation, or that canoptionally humidify scented gas emerging from the delivery channeloutlet.
 27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the humidifier chambercomprises injection of a high humidity water vapor.
 28. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further including a dehumidifier chamber that dehumidifies theblend of the input gas and the scent ingredient prior to providing anoutput to a user and is operable in a mode in which the dehumidifierchamber is always activated, manually activated, or sensor activated.29. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a dehumidifier chamberthat dehumidifies the input gas prior to interaction with the scentingredient and is operable in a mode in which the dehumidifier chamberis always activated, manually activated, or sensor activated.
 30. Theapparatus of claim 29, wherein the dehumidifier chamber comprises a drynitrogen gas.
 31. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a heatingelement with placement adjacent or internal to the pressurizationchamber, flow regulation mechanisms, blending chamber, or scent deliverychannel causing the carrier gas to be heated prior to input orsubsequent to output from the scent containers.
 32. The apparatus ofclaim 26, wherein a resistive heating, an inductive heating, or athermoelectric heat pump mechanism is used for heating.
 33. Theapparatus of claim 31 wherein the heating element performs modulation ofambient intake temperature for at least one of (i) optimized scented orunscented fluid generation, including blending, and flow, (ii)uncontaminated fluid delivery to a user, (iii) standardized or variablefluid temperature delivery, (iv) delivering the additional sensorycomponent of heat to device user, (v) modifying user perception of amedia transmitted to or played by a companion devices, or (vi) enhancingor enabling mixing and temperature-induced chemical reactions among atleast two scent ingredients for creation of an intended new scent. 34.The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the heating element performsmodulation of carrier blended gas temperature for at least one of (i)standardized or variable fluid temperature delivery, (ii) delivering theadditional sensory component of heat to device user, or (iii) modifyinguser perception of a media transmitted to or played by a companiondevices.
 35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the heating elementserves to clean the apparatus internal flow channels, blending chambersand other selected components of any scent material deposition viadirectly heating the surfaces by resistive or inductive heating orheating gas during flow through the apparatus to remove depositions. 36.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cooling element withplacement adjacent or internal to the pressurization chamber, flowregulation mechanisms, blending chamber(s), or scent delivery channelcausing the scented gas containing ingredients or scent compositions tobe cooled prior to mixing with the input gas.
 37. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the cooling element comprises a thermoelectric cooling coil,and wherein the cooling performs modulation of ambient temperature forat least one of (i) an optimized scented gas generation, includingblending, and flow, (ii) uncontaminated fluid delivery to a user, (iii)standardized or variable fluid temperature delivery, (iv) delivery whichimparts an additional sensory component to the user, (v) modifying userperception of media transmitted to or played in devices, or (vi)limiting or preventing mixing and temperature-induced chemical reactionsamong at least two scent ingredients for creation of an intended newscent.
 38. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each scent container iscoupled at one end, either the inlet or the outlet, with a passive checkvalve which permits flow to a pressure differential across the valve.39. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each scent container holds amaterial comprising a substrate and a liquid scent ingredient coating,absorbed or adsorbed by the substrate such that gas flow through thecontainer produces a gaseous mixture of the input gas and the scentingredient.
 40. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each scent containerholds an organic scent material.
 41. The apparatus of claim 1, whereineach scent container holds a solid ingredient-specific materialinterconnected throughout via branching and bifurcated arrangement witha micro-nanoporous structure made of a material selected from metallic,ceramic, polymer, carbon material, with a specific surface area of atleast 300 meter square per gram such that the scent liquid ismechanically held in place and the gas flow through the containerproduces a gaseous mixture of the input gas and the scent ingredient.42. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each scent container is dividedinto two compartments, the first accommodating gas flow from inlet toinlet to outlet and holding a material comprised of a substrate intowhich liquid scent ingredient or scent composition is distributed topermit exposure to gas flow, and the second section enclosing a liquidscent media reservoir to resupply the substrate section as needed viacapillary action or pressurized injection.
 43. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein each scent container is divided into two compartments, the firstaccommodating gas flow from inlet to inlet to outlet and containing abranched hollow micro- or nano-structure with surface porosity intowhich liquid scent ingredient or scent composition is distributed topermit exposure to gas flow, and the second section enclosing a liquidscent media reservoir to resupply the hollow branched structure of thefirst section as needed via capillary action or pressurized injection.44. The apparatus of claim 1, further including an exhaust valve coupledto the delivery channel outlet to selectively divert the gas flow duringa cleaning operation of the apparatus.
 45. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the scent and vapor release apparatus has a diameter of lessthan 2 millimeters.
 46. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scent andvapor release apparatus has a switching speed that is less than 100msec.
 47. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein power consumption of thescent and vapor release apparatus for each on/off cycle is less than250mJ.
 48. A digitally controllable device for dispensing a scented gas,vapor, or liquid substance, comprising: a cartridge structured thatincludes one or more containers, each containing a scent ingredient,scent composition, drug or other scented or unscented substance; ahousing structure that includes a compartment to hold the cartridge, anopening to allow the one or more substances to dispense to an outerenvironment from the device, and one or more transporting channelsformed between the compartment and the opening, wherein each of the oneor more transporting channels is configured to deliver a substance fromthe corresponding container to and through the opening; and an actuatorswitch arranged in a corresponding transporting channel and operable tomove between an open position and a closed position based on an appliedsignal to selectively allow passage of the scented substance from thecorresponding transporting path.
 49. The device of claim 48, wherein theactuator switch includes a magnetically latchable switch structureproviding a remanent magnetization valve.
 50. The device of claim 48,wherein the magnetically latchable switch structure includes one or moreof a magnetically latchable and movable pin, high magnetic permeabilitymating ring, solenoid, electromagnetic shield, and a non-cylindrical pinguide to facilitate gas, liquid, vapor or mist flow.
 51. The device ofclaim 48, wherein the magnetically latchable switch structure isoperable to magnetize the pin using a pulse signal to the solenoid uponwhich the pin snaps against the ring to create a seal, and todemagnetize the pin by a diminishing AC signal to the solenoid orapplying an oppositely directed and diminished field produced by asingle or series of DC signals.
 52. The device of claim 50, wherein themagnetically latchable switch structure includes a cantilever springcoupled between the pin guide and the high permeability mating ring atone end and structured to contact the pin at the other end.
 53. Thedevice of claim 50, wherein the magnetically latchable switch structureis operable to move between the open position and the closed positionbased on applied gas pressure or gravity, or both, duringdemagnetization.
 54. The device of claim 48, wherein each scentcontainer is coupled at one end, either the inlet or the outlet, with apassive check valve which permits flow to a pressure differential acrossthe valve.
 55. The device of claim 48, wherein the device includes anarray of the transporting channels and the actuator switches, whereinthe actuator switches each include a magnetically latchable switchstructure providing a remanent magnetization valve, and wherein themagnetically latchable switch structure includes a magneticallylatchable and movable pin, high permeability mating ring, solenoid,electromagnetic shield, and a non-cylindrical pin guide to facilitategas flow unimpeded by the magnetic pin.
 56. The device of claim 54,wherein the pin includes a coating or attachment of an elastic orrubbery or other compliant tip material capable of creating a tightseal.
 57. The device of claim 54, wherein the magnetically latchableswitch structure is operable to magnetize the pin using a pulse signalto the solenoid upon which the pin snaps against the ring to create aseal, and to demagnetize the pin by a diminishing AC signal to thesolenoid or applying an oppositely directed and diminished fieldproduced by a single or series of DC signals.
 58. The device of claim48, wherein the applied signal to actuate the actuator switch to causedispensing of the one or more scented substances from the scent-enableddevice is applied based on a control provided by pressing a button onthe device, or by a wired or wireless communication control signalincluding a cellular signal, a magnetic signal, an optical signal, asound/vibrational signal or other signal.
 59. The device of claim 48,wherein the actuator switch includes: a magnetically latchable gatingvalve assembly structured to include (i) a base structure inside thetransporting channel and including a high permeability material thatforms a passage through the base structure, and (ii) a magnetic pinassembly set against the base structure in the transporting channel andincluding a solenoid component, an elastic end coating with elastomericor compliant material for tight seal, a guide structure containing thepin component, and a substantially square-loop magnetization materialforming the pin component, wherein, when magnetized, the pin componentis in contact with to the base structure blocking an opening of thepassage when the actuator switch is in the closed position, and, whendemagnetized, the pin component is not in contact with the basestructure when the actuator switch is in the open position exposing theopening of the passage, and wherein the pin component is moveable in theguide structure to move upon a change in magnetic field to actuate theopening or closing of the actuator switch in the transporting channel.60. The device of claim 59, wherein the magnetically latchable gatingvalve assembly further includes: a spring component in the passage ofthe base structure and operable to expand beyond the opening of thepassage to push the pin component away from the opening when theactuator switch is actuated to the opened position by demagnetizing thepin component and operable to contract to the closed position as resultof the magnetic force between the pin component and the highpermeability base when the pin is magnetized.
 61. The device of claim60, wherein the pin component is moveable in the guide structurefollowing demagnetization based on gas pressure from the passageovercoming the gravitational force applied onto the demagnetized pin soas to cause the pin component to move away from the opening when theactuator switch is actuated to the opened position and operable tocontract to the closed position as result of the magnetic force betweenthe pin component and the high permeability base when the pin ismagnetized.
 62. The device of claim 49 included in a virtual, mixed oraugmented reality or holographic, called VAR, device comprising: ahead-worn VAR device configured to be attached to or on a user's head,wherein the device is attached to or incorporated into the wearable VARdevice, called a scent-enabled device, and operable to deliver one ormore scented substances to the outer environment including the spacearound the head of the user wearing the scent-enabled device.
 63. Thedevice of claim 62, wherein the space includes the nose space of theuser.
 64. The device of claim 62, wherein the VAR device is worn on oraround the head.
 65. The device of claim 62, wherein the VAR device isworn in the form factor of eyeglasses.
 66. The device of claim 62,wherein a component of the VAR device is worn as eye contact lens. 67.The device of claim 62 wherein a component of the device has audiofunctionality including headphones earphones or built-in or accompanyingspeakerphones.
 68. The device of claim 62, wherein the method of scentdelivery is configured to be operated by or in conjunction with theoperation of the VAR device.
 69. The device of claim 62, wherein themethod of scent delivery is configured to be operated during VARbroadcast or transmission or streaming of audio, visual, audiovisual orother media to users.
 70. The device of claim 62, wherein the method ofscent delivery is configured to operate during or in conjunction withoperation of VAR peripheral devices including at least some ofcontrollers, haptic devices, or other peripherals linked to operation ofthe VAR device.
 71. The device of claim 62, wherein the method of scentdelivery is configured to be operated or controlled by one or acombination of the VAR device software, hardware, electronics,photonics, head tracking, hand recognition/tracking, foveal tracking, orother VAR device component or constituent technologies.
 72. The deviceof claim 62, wherein the method of scent delivery is configured tointeractively operate with the VAR device.
 73. The device of claim 62,wherein the method of scent delivery may be configured to have interfaceand operate with or be operated by third party VAR or peripheralapplications.
 74. The device of claim 48, wherein the one or morescented or unscented substances include a drug or a combination ofdrugs, or a combination of drugs and pleasant scents, and wherein theouter environment includes a user's nostrils, lung, mouth, or particularregion of the user's skin for transdermal drug delivery.
 75. The deviceof claim 48, wherein the one or more substances includes a drug fordelivery via an orthonasal pathway.
 76. The device of claim 75 whereinthe one or more substances being delivered to the nose or mouth or lungis in the form of a micro-mist or a nano-mist having a liquid dropletsize of less than 100 micrometer in diameter with capability ofproducing droplet size less than 1 micrometer in diameter.
 77. Thedevice of claim 75 wherein the nasal delivery of drugs allows bypassingof a blood-brain-barrier of the blood vessels for direct and fastdelivery of medications to brain neural cells along nasal olfactorynerve cells projecting into a brain's olfactory locations.
 78. Thedevice of claim 75 wherein the drug includes at least one of a generalmedication, Alzheimer's Disease treatment drug, diabetes treatment drugsuch as insulin, decongestants for cold and allergy treatment,pain-reducing drugs, hormone treatments, bipolar symptom treatmentdrugs, influenza vaccine, seizure treatment, an antibiotics, or a rapidand efficient delivery of drugs for babies/children.
 79. The device ofclaim 75 wherein the drug includes at least one of toxicity-reducingchemicals, anti-toxin or antibody to neutralize a specific toxin,pain-reducing medications, with the applications including a componentof wearable gears for military soldiers in action or under attack,rescue team personnel, chemical plant accident victims or civilians ingeneral.
 80. The device of claim 79, wherein the toxicity-reducingchemicals, anti-toxin or antibody to neutralize a specific toxin,pain-reducing medications are rapidly administered to the militarysolders or rescue team personnel in action or under attack by the fastswitchable valves within a pre-specified time that is 5 minutes or less.81. A valve for controlling flow of a gas, vapor, or a liquid substance,comprising: a flow channel allowing passage of the gas, the flow channelhaving a first portion and a second portion separated from the firstportion by a seal having an opening; the first portion having an inletfor a gas to enter the flow channel and the opening allowing gas toenter the second portion; a magnetically moveable pin positioned in achannel in the valve, the pin moveable along the channel into a closedposition in which the pin is magnetized and closes the opening, therebydisallowing the gas to flow from the first portion of the flow channelinto the second portion of the flow channel and an open position inwhich the pin is demagnetized and separated from the opening, therebypermitting the gas to flow from the first portion of the flow channelinto the second portion of the flow channel; and a solenoid located onan exterior of the valve in a region corresponding to the pin such thatan electrical current through the solenoid in one direction controls themagnetization and thereby the position of the pin between the closedposition and the open position, wherein the pin is further moveable fromthe closed position to the open position by having the gas undersufficient pressure to move the pin along the guide.
 82. The valve ofclaim 81, wherein, in the second portion of the flow channel, thepassage of gas occurs in a space between the guide and an external wallof the valve.
 83. The valve of claim 81, wherein the pin guide has anon-circular cross-sectional shape and wherein the external wall has acircular cross-sectional shape.
 84. The valve of claim 81, wherein thesolenoid is covered by an electromagnetic shield.
 85. The valve of claim81, wherein the electrical current through the solenoid in an oppositedirection controls the position of the pin by demagnetizing the pin. 86.A digitally controllable valve apparatus for controlling flow of a gas,vapor or a liquid substance, comprising: a housing having a highpermeability plate with a through-hole on one end and a back plate withone or more through-holes at another end, a remanent magnetization pinpositioned in an interior of the housing and able to move back and forthbetween the one end and the another end such that: when the pin ismagnetized it moves to the one end, the pin makes contact with the highpermeability plate, thereby closing the through-hole and disallowingpassage of a gas or a vapor or a liquid substance through the housing,and when the pin is demagnetized it moves away from the one end towardsthe another end, the pin allows passage of the gas or the vapor or theliquid through the through-hole, the interior of the housing and the oneor more through holes at the another end; and a solenoid on an exteriorof the housing, the solenoid being able to carry electric current tocause magnetization or demagnetization and subsequent movement of thepin between the one end and the another end.
 87. The apparatus of claim86, wherein the housing has a cross-section that is non-circular andcomprises one of a triangular or a rectangular shape.
 88. The apparatusof claim 86, wherein the housing and solenoid are merged into a singlepart with a cross-section that is non-circular and comprises one of atriangular or a rectangular shape.
 89. The apparatus of claim 86,wherein the solenoid is substantially flat, and is located at the end ofthe housing.
 90. The apparatus of claim 86, wherein the solenoid isdivided into a first section near the one end and a second section nearthe another end, wherein passage of current through the first sectioncauses magnetization of the pin and passage of current through thesecond section causes demagnetization of the pin.
 91. The apparatus ofclaim 90, wherein the first section and the second section aresubstantially flat and fabricable using a lithographic technique.
 92. Anarray of multiple digitally controllable valves of any of claims 86 to91 for controlling flow of a gas, vapor or a liquid substance throughthe multiple valves.
 93. The array of claim 92, wherein each of thevalve is oriented such that, during use, the pin of each of the valvecloses the through-hole aided by gravity.
 94. The array of claim 92wherein the array comprises a two dimensional or a three-dimensionalarrangement of the digitally controllable valves.
 95. A check valveapparatus, comprising: a planar ring comprising a ring materialsurrounding an opening at a center thereof; and a flap made of a flapmaterial affixed to the ring via at least one hinge, wherein the flap ismoveable around the hinge at least in a closed position in which theflap stops passage or leakage of a fluid through the opening and an openposition in which the flap allows the fluid to escape via a gap betweenthe flap and the planar ring through the opening; wherein a magneticattraction force between the ring material and the flap material acts tomove or hold the flap in the closed position and a gas flow forcepressing against the flap acts to move the flap in an open position. 96.The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the ring material comprises a magnetmaterial and the flap material comprises a magnetically susceptible softmagnetic material.
 97. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein the flapmaterial comprises a magnet material and the ring material comprises amagnetically susceptible soft magnetic material.
 98. The apparatus inclaim 95, wherein the ring is of one of a shape from among variousgeometric shapes including a circular, a square or a rectangular shape.99. An array comprising a planar arrangement of multiple check valveapparatuses, wherein each check valve apparatus has a structure asrecited in any of claims 95-98.
 100. A mixing or dividing valveapparatus, comprising: a three channel housing, with each channel in thesame plane and an axially symmetrical open central chamber at themeeting of the three channels such that the axis is orthogonal to theplane containing the three channels; and a radially positionableblocking wedge located within the central chamber and rotatable aroundthe central chambers symmetric axis; and a high permeability matingpiece embedded into the blocking wedge and positioned adjacent to valveexterior; and an arced array of magnetically latchable pins wound insolenoids positioned exterior to the valve which is magnetized ordemagnetized by electromagnetic signals; wherein the angular position ofthe blocking wedge about the central chamber axis is determined by themagnetic attraction force between the embedded high permeability matingpiece and the magnetized external latchable pin and serves to directflow from a first channel to a second channel, to a third channel, or tosplit flow between the second and third channel with the proportionalamount determined by the radial position of the blocking wedge, oralternatively to permit flow into the first channel from the secondchannel, from the third channel, or to combine flow from both the secondand third channels with the proportional amount determined by the radialposition of the blocking wedge.
 101. A digitally controllable scentcreation and delivery apparatus, comprising: an inlet port from whichair enters the apparatus; an outlet port from which a pre-determinedscent flows out of the apparatus; and an arrangement of a pressurizationmechanism, remanent magnetization valves and scent containers that holdscent ingredients wherein the arrangement comprises, from the inlet portto the outlet port, a cascade from one of: the pressurization mechanismfollowed by the remanent magnetization valves followed by the scentcontainers; or the pressurization mechanism followed by the scentcontainers followed by the remanent magnetization valves; or the scentcontainers followed by the remanent magnetization valves followed by thepressurization mechanism; or the remanent magnetization valves followedby the scent containers followed by the pressurization mechanism, or theremanent magnetization valves followed by the scent containers followedby a second set or remanent magnetization valves followed by thepressurization mechanism, or the pressurization mechanism followed bythe remanent magnetization valves followed by the scent containersfollowed by a second set or remanent magnetization valves, wherein thepressurization mechanism forces air out of its output and where theremanent magnetization valves control airflow by selective opening ofthe valves using electromagnetic control signals.
 102. The apparatus ofclaim 101, wherein the scent containers that hold scent ingredients forman array set in a cartridge that is removable, refillable and/orreplaceable from the apparatus.
 103. The apparatus of claim 101, whereinthe apparatus is mounted on a headset such that when the headset is wornby a user, the apparatus is in a proximity of the user's nose space.104. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the headset comprises avirtual, mixed or augmented reality headset.
 105. The apparatus of claim101, wherein the pressurization mechanism includes an electric fan. 106.The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the pressurization mechanismincludes a piezoelectric pump.
 107. The apparatus of claim 101, whereinthe pressurization mechanism includes a positive displacement pump. 108.The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the pressurization mechanismincludes a pre-pressurized gas.
 109. The apparatus of claim 101, whereinthe outlet port comprises multiple channels that carry individuatedscents, without mixing together, for delivery directly from the outletport or through a scent diffuser.
 110. A headgear that is wearable as astandalone scent delivery device by a human being comprising anattachment, the attachment comprising apparatus of claim
 101. 111. Theheadgear of claim 110, wherein the attachment is detachable.
 112. Theheadgear of claim 110, wherein the scent cartridges are located to benear a user's temple when the headgear is worn by the user and whereinthe outlet port feeds scent to a scent diffuser near the user's nosespace via one or more gas channels.
 113. The headgear of claim 110,wherein the apparatus of claim 1 is positioned near a middle section ofthe headgear.
 114. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the gas carryingchannel is divided into two or more separate passages capable ofsimultaneous delivery of differing scents, one or more for sensation bythe left nostril, and the others for sensation by the right nostril.115. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the gas carrying channelemploys a dividing valve at the exit to split flow at a controllable andadjustable proportion between flow to the left nostril and flow to theright nostril.
 116. An eyewear for presenting a VAR experience to auser, wherein the eyewear comprises the scent delivery apparatus ofclaim
 101. 117. A human-wearable apparatus comprising a head portionthat is worn on a user's head and a wearable portion that is worn on theuser's body at another location, wherein the human-wearable apparatusincludes the scent delivery apparatus recited in claim
 101. 118. Thehuman-wearable apparatus of claim 117, wherein the wearable portionincludes the cartridges that hold scent ingredients and wherein theoutput port is coupled to a scent diffuser that is positioned on thehead portion via a gas carrying channel.
 119. The human-wearableapparatus of claim 118, wherein the gas carrying channel comprises aflexible channel.
 120. The human-wearable apparatus of claim 119,wherein the flexible channel includes a bundle of scent-specificchannels for carrying different scents.
 121. The human-wearableapparatus of claim 120, wherein each channel comprises an interiorsurface that comes in contact with a scent being carried, wherein theinterior surface is made of a hydrophobic and/or a lipophobic and/or aceramic material and an exterior surface that provides structuralsupport.
 122. The human-wearable apparatus of claim 119, wherein theflexible channel includes an internal coating made of an electricallyconductive material for resistively heating a gas being carried by theflexible channel during use.
 123. The human-wearable apparatus of claim119, wherein the flexible channel further includes a solenoid woundaround its exterior, the solenoid able to perform cleaning of interiorof the flexible channel by inductive heating of the channel's internalconductive material.
 124. The human-wearable apparatus of claim 119,wherein the flexible channel includes an exterior channeling sleeve forstructural support and an interior channel that is flexible and shakablefor cleaning, wherein the flexible channel further includes staggeredpieces of magnetic material affixed between the exterior channelingsleeve and the interior channel and a solenoid would around theexterior, the solenoid able to perform cleaning of the interior channelby application of an alternating field to shudder the affixed magneticmaterials.
 125. The apparatus of any of claims 101-118, furtherincluding a controller that controls scent delivery via a wired,wireless, optical, magnetic, sound or vibrational signal.
 126. Ahandheld device that includes the scent delivery apparatus of claim 101,wherein scent delivery from the handheld device is controllable via awired, wireless, optical, magnetic, sound or vibrational signal. 127.The handheld device of claim 126, including one or more buttons on thedevice, wherein the buttons can be pressed to control scent delivery.128. The handheld device of claim 126, including a cartridge that isremovable and/or replaceable from the apparatus.
 129. The handhelddevice of claim 126, including a cartridge that is refillable with scentmaterial by coupling with a separate recharge unit containing additionalreserves of scent material which may be delivered into the scentcontainers by capillary action or pressurized injection.
 130. Thehandheld device of claim 126, wherein the flow regulation mechanismincludes a bank of remanent magnetization valves operable to controlflow volume, speed, duration, and an on-off open-close frequency ofcarrier gas flow through each scent container and release from outletsof the valves based on the electromagnetic signals.
 131. A method ofdelivering digitally controlled scent experience, comprising: deliveringa non-olfactory sensory stimulus to a user; controlling delivery of ascent stimulus from a scent device by an electromagnetic control signalthat controls scent activation, scent blending, release and delivery toa user; delivering the scent stimulus to the user wherein the scentstimulus is related to the non-olfactory stimulus and enhances,augments, modifies, alters or integrates with user experience of thenon-olfactory stimulus; delivering the scent stimulus to the userwherein the scent stimulus is related to the non-olfactory stimulus andthe user is engaged with the non-olfactory stimulus passively oractively, or interactively; and selectively delivering the scentstimulus to the user wherein the scent stimulus is related to thenon-olfactory stimulus, while the user is engaged in an activity. 132.The method of claim 131, wherein the delivering of the non-olfactorystimulus includes delivering an audio, visual, audio visual and/or othersensory stimulus or a combination thereof, called non-olfactory stimuli.133. The method of claim 131, wherein the delivering of thenon-olfactory stimuli are provided in the organized or structured formof recognizable and interpretable media content to the user, callednon-olfactory media.
 134. The method of claim 131 wherein thenon-olfactory stimulus/stimuli is/are delivered by a cell phone,computer, laptop, notebook, projector, or other non-worn media device.135. The method of claim 131 wherein the non-olfactory stimulus or mediais delivered by a wearable device to the user, including but not limitedto a VAR device.
 136. The method of claim 133 or claim 134, furtherincluding: the non-olfactory device receiving a user feedback to thenon-olfactory stimulus; and further controlling or modifying thedelivery of the scent stimulus or stimuli using the user feedback. 137.The method of claim 131, wherein the receiving of the user feedbackincludes: speech recognition, facial recognition, body, hand, motion,gait or posture capture, user activity or interactivity data, breathinginhalation/exhalation and other user action, activity, interactivity orphysiological, behavioral, or affective response.
 138. The method ofclaim 131, wherein the scents comprise a flavor or taste ingredient andwherein delivering the scent stimulus includes delivering the scentstimulus near a user's mouth area to enhance or alter the user's tasteor flavor experience or perception.
 139. The method of claim 131,wherein the non-olfactory stimulus includes one or a combination oftemperature and, humidity stimulus.
 140. The method of claim 131,wherein the non-olfactory stimulus or non-olfactory media is deliveredwhile the user is engaged in the activity of shopping.
 141. The methodof claim 131, wherein the non-olfactory stimulus or non-olfactory mediais delivered while the user is engaged in the activity of dining oreating.
 142. The method of claim 131, wherein the non-olfactory stimulusor non-olfactory media is delivered while the user is engaged in scentcreation.
 143. The method of claim 131, wherein the non-olfactorystimulus or non-olfactory media is delivered while the user is engagedwith one or more other users.
 144. The method of claim 131, wherein thenon-olfactory media is entertainment such as a videogame, movie, book,artworks, documentaries, scripted or unscripted drama or adventure. 145.The method of claim 131, wherein the non-olfactory media is advertising.146. The method of claim 131, wherein the non-olfactory media is anymedia, in addition to videogames, with which a user may interact,including interactive children's books, interactive advertisingrequiring or requesting responsive feedback, interactive art, or otherinteractive media.
 147. The method of claim 131, wherein the scentstimulus/stimuli is/are delivered while the user is engaged in a VARapplication.
 148. The method of claim 133 or claim 134 wherein thedelivering of the scent stimulus or scent stimuli includes deliveringthe scent stimulus or stimuli to add scent-based three dimensionality tothe user experience of the non-olfactory stimulus/stimuli ornon-olfactory media by controlling delivery of a first scent stimulusfrom an array of scent containers by an electromagnetic control signalthat controls release of scent ingredients from at least some of thescent containers in the array to a first channel; and controllingdelivery of a second scent stimulus from the array of scent containersby the electromagnetic control signal that controls release of scentingredients from at least some of the scent containers in the array to asecond channel; delivering a first mixture of the first scent stimulusand the second scent stimulus in a first proportion near a user's leftnostril space; and delivering a second mixture of the first scentstimulus and the second scent stimulus in a second proportion near auser's right nostril space; wherein the first proportion and the secondproportion are selected to enable a spatial scent experience by theuser.
 149. A method of generating mist of a scent ingredient,comprising: storing a scent ingredient in a liquid form in a reservoirhaving at least one porous side that allows controlled escape of thescent ingredient in a particulate form; causing the scent ingredient toescape the reservoir in the particulate form through the at least oneporous side into a flow chamber; controlling airflow through the flowchamber to achieve a desired separation of the scent ingredient in theparticulate form into a mist comprising scent particles; and outputtingthe mist form at an outlet of the flow chamber.
 150. The method of claim149, wherein the scent particles may comprises a nanoparticle core thatis coated by the scent substance or a scent ingredient core that iscoated by a surface made of a non-fragrant substance.
 151. The method ofclaim 150, wherein the scent ingredient core comprises embedded magneticparticles.
 152. The method of claim 149, wherein the causing the scentingredient to escape includes providing a high surface area region thatcauses the scent ingredient from the reservoir to travel towards theporous side by capillary action.
 153. The method of claim 149, whereinthe causing the scent ingredient to escape includes applying pressure tothe reservoir causing the scent ingredient to travel towards the porousside.
 154. The method of claim 149, wherein the applying the pressureincludes controlling movement of a plunger to force the scent ingredientthrough a small diameter pattern plate in the reservoir.
 155. The methodof claim 149, wherein the porous side comprises multiple branch layerspartially obstructing the airflow through the air chamber and causingthe airflow to travel around the multiple branch layers.
 156. The methodof claim 149, wherein the porous side comprises at least one of ahydrophobic, a lipophobic, or an omniphobic material.
 157. The method ofclaim 149, wherein the causing the scent ingredient to escape includesshaking a microscale or nanoscale mesh with a hydrophobic, a lipophobic,or an omniphobic surface treatment submerged partially or wholly in thescent ingredient.
 158. The method of claim 149, wherein the reservoircomprises microscale or nanoscale filaments and wherein the causing thescent ingredient to escape comprises passing microbubbles ornano-bubbles through the reservoir causing the scent ingredient totravel towards the porous side.
 159. The method of claim 158, whereinthe filaments comprises at least one of a hydrophobic, a lipophobic, oran omniphobic material.
 160. A mist generation apparatus, comprising: areservoir that stores a scent ingredient in a liquid form, the reservoirhaving at least one porous side that allows controlled escape of thescent ingredient in a particulate form; a mechanism that causes thescent ingredient to escape the reservoir in the particulate form throughthe at least one porous side into a flow chamber; a flow chamber forallowing air to flow to achieve a desired separation of the scentingredient in the particulate form that has escaped from the porous sideinto a mist comprising scent particles; an array of valve system whichcontrols the quantity and speed of mist delivery by either controllingthe air flow rate or frequency of event with valve open/close electronicsignaling, or by the frequency of valve open/close cycle itself; and anoutlet that outputs the mist.
 161. A computer program product comprisinga computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon,the instructions, when executed, causing a processor to digitallycontrol one or more scent delivery arrays comprising a plurality ofremanent magnetization valves that control release of scent ingredientsfrom containers, by one or more of: repeated turning on and off of theremanent magnetization valves, causing pressure of release of the scentingredients to vary, metering dilution of the scent ingredients bymixing with unscented gas; modulating carrier gas temperature ortemperature within blending chambers, thereby blending and controllingconcentrations and ratios of scent ingredients or other parameters; andcausing a formula-defined blended scent to be delivered from the scentdelivery array.
 162. The computer program product of claim 161, whereinthe processor further performs: receiving a biosensor feedback of auser's state; and adjusting delivery of the desired scent according to apre-specified rule or algorithm.
 163. The computer program product ofclaim 161, wherein the pre-specified rule or algorithm includes a ruleor adjustment mechanism for enhancing user experience in a VAR ornon-VAR setting.
 164. The computer program product of claim 161, whereinthe biosensor feedback includes one or more of a user input, a user'sbreathing pattern, gaze, inhalation or exhalation, a user's head or bodymovement, posture, behavior, brainwave activity, central or peripheralnervous system or other biophysical feedback reflecting user'sphysiological, behavioral or affective state, change, intention,tendencies, preferences and patterns.
 165. The computer program productof claim 161, wherein the processor further performs the operations of:receiving a wireless signal for actuating or altering scent deliveryoperation; and starting scent delivery or altering an ongoing scentdelivery according to the wireless signal.
 166. The computer programproduct of claim 165, wherein the wireless signal comprises a voicecommand.
 167. The computer program product of claim 165, wherein theoperation of starting or altering is performed contemporaneous with, orafter a specified time elapses after, receiving the wireless signal.168. A computer implemented method of providing customizable olfactoryexperience, comprising: storing, in a searchable database, scentdescriptions and labels ingredients and accompanying formulae, chemicalparameters, consumer or individual data preferences, tastes andperception, and/or regulatory restrictions, limitations, parameters orconditions governing use or delivery to user of scent ingredients orcompositions; receiving an input signal indicative of a situation forwhich a particular scent is requested; deriving, at least based on thesearchable database, scent creation information for the input signal;and operating a digitally controllable scent delivery apparatuscomprising one or more arrays of scent containers, a flow regulationmechanism, a blending chamber or chambers, and a pressurization chamberto generate and deliver the selected scent.
 169. The method of claim168, further including: locating the searchable database in a cloud; andmaking the database accessible to multiple user devices in differentlocations.
 170. The method of claim 168, wherein the input signalcomprises speech signal descriptive of a user's situation, context orproviding an instruction.
 171. The method of claim 168, wherein theinput signal comprises a biosensor feedback about a user's currentstate.
 172. The method of claim 168, wherein the input signal includesan ambient condition.
 173. The method of claim 172, wherein the ambientcondition includes at least one of a time of day information, a humidityinformation, a temperature information, a windspeed and directioninformation and an illumination information.
 174. The method of claim168 wherein the input signal includes VAR light field, motion or opticalcapture, tracking, and other VAR or VAR application data.
 175. Themethod of claim 168, wherein the operating of the digitally controllablescent delivery apparatus includes operating the digitally controllablescent delivery apparatus using wireless communication.
 176. The methodof claim 168, further including: storing, in a transaction record, a logof the input signal and the corresponding particular scent providedbased on the input signal.
 177. The method of claim 168, furtherincluding electronically providing the log to a requesting computer.178. The method of claim 168, further including: facilitating exchangeof scent information between different users by making a first copy offirst user's delivery apparatus operating settings for transmission tothe other users in an exchange to store and use said operationalsettings to replicate operation of their respective scent deliveryapparatuses.
 179. The method of claim 168, further including:facilitating exchange of scent information among different users by eachuser in the exchange making a copy of his/her database for transmissionto other users in the exchange to store and use in each respectiveuser's scent delivery apparatuses to create, release and deliver scents.180. The method of claim 168, further including: facilitatingtransmission of information from a remote server or the cloud from oneuser to other users scent information among different users by each userin the exchange making a copy of his/her database for transmission toother users in the exchange to store and use in each respective user'sscent delivery apparatuses to create, release and deliver scents.
 181. Amethod of delivering a substance to a target site, comprising: providingone or more containers that hold one or more ingredients that make upthe substance, wherein each container is fitted with at least onemagnetically controllable valve; operating a control circuit toselectively actuate, based on a desired characteristic of the substance,at least some of the magnetically controllable valves, causing at leastsome of the one or more ingredient to mix in a pre-determinedproportion; and delivering a resulting mixture of the substance throughan outlet placed in proximity of the target site.
 182. The method ofclaim 181, wherein the target site is a subject's nostril or mouth or aspecific region of skin to facilitate transdermal delivery of thesubstance.
 183. The method of claim 181, wherein the substance is in avapor, mist, gas or a powder form including suspensions.
 184. The methodof claim 181, wherein the method is used during treatment of a lungproblem via an orthonasal route delivery of the substance.
 185. Themethod of claim 184, wherein the lung problem is one of asthma oremphysema or an allergy.
 186. The method of claim 181, wherein themethod is used during treatment of a brain-related disease by deliveringthe substance via an orthonasal route.
 187. The method of claim 181,wherein the brain-related disease includes Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease, or epilepsy,
 188. The method of claim 181, whereinthe substance comprises a drug targeting a brain function.